Spotted Lanternflies
What is a Spotted Lanternfly?
The spotted lanternfly is an invasive species that has spread to many counties in Maryland, DC, and Virginia. Adults are about 1 inch in length and have light brown forewings with black spots. The hind wings are mainly red with black spots, and sometimes, you can see some yellow on the body.
These insects are voracious feeders, targeting various plant species and impacting industries such as vineyards, timber, and agriculture. Unlike native pests, spotted lanternflies can inflict economic and property damage.
Why do I have Spotted Lanternflies?
Spotted Lanternflies were originally detected in Pennsylvania in 2014 and are thought to have been introduced from Southeast Asia around 2012. Since then, they have proliferated and are commonly found all over our service areas in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC.
These plant parasites exhibit a broad palate, feeding on more than 70 plant species. Among their preferred hosts are tree-of-heaven, grapes, hops, hardwood trees, and fruit trees. Furthermore, there are concerns that they may transmit plant diseases. The sheer number of spotted lanternflies feeding simultaneously can severely weaken plants and trees, stunting growth and, in severe cases, resulting in plant death. This poses threats to industries like forestry, viticulture, orchards, and landscaping.
How to Get Rid of Spotted Lanternflies
Combatting spotted lanternflies in Maryland, DC, and Virginia requires collective effort. Should you encounter a spotted lanternfly, immediate action is crucial. Simply stomping on them can help mitigate their spread. Removing and destroying egg casings can reduce populations in the spring. American Pest’s seasonal mosquito and tick treatment programs now include treatment for spotted lanternflies. They target areas around the home that can harbor nymph and adult lanternflies like crawlspaces, under decks, tree trunks, and bushes bordering yards.
How to Destroy Spotted Lanternfly Eggs
Spotted Lanternflies prefer to lay their eggs on a host tree but may also lay them on other flat surfaces like buildings, fences, vehicles, etc. Spotted lanternfly eggs are usually in groups of 30-50 and coated in gray wax. When dried, that wax can look similar to a splash of mud.
If discovered, scrape the egg mass from the surface and place it in a plastic bag with hand sanitizer or alcohol.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Stomp on it, then call a pest professional like American Pest that is offering spotted lanternfly services as part of our seasonal mosquito, tick, and spotted lanterfly programs.
At American Pest, we pride ourselves on our speed and level of service. For that reason, we make every effort to make sure we can arrive the same or the very next day.
Every product used by American Pest has first been extensively tested by the EPA and is registered for pest control use. Only then do we apply it following a strict set of guidelines for use around humans and pets.
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