#Spotted lantern fly kill how to#

Residents can also report a suspected lanternfly investigation and learn more about prevention online here.The Spotted Lanternfly (SLF) is an invasive planthopper, first discovered in New York City in July 2020. Korman recommends residents keep in touch with their local extension office to find out if there are infestations in their area and for more tips to prevent spreading spotted lanternflies.

#Spotted lantern fly kill how to#

We just know how to kill them with chemicals,' Wilson said.Īccording to the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, a 2019 economic impact study estimates that if the bugs remain uncontrolled, the problem could cost $324 million annually and more than 2,800 jobs. And, truthfully, nothing's really changed. 'We've gone through so many harvests now where we've been with them. From August to November, when the adult insects are still active, they spray them with insecticides. The family now has a strategy to kill the bugs killing their crops. Well, one loop turned into four loops turned into five loops turns into an hour.' 'I came outside for a couple seconds, and I thought I was just going to do one loop around the patio to kill, you know, whatever I saw. She said she walks the property, trying to kill the bugs as she sees them. Missy Wilson works with her father at Setter Ridge Vineyards. 'They're sucking the juices out of the vine, and the juice for this sucking out is what we need to ripen our grapes since, make our grapevines survive a cold winter,' Blair explained.

His family is starting over, but lanternflies are still a problem.īlair has replanted and has more than 20 acres of new grapevines. The loss of grapevines due to infestation cost Blair $200,000. Generally, we say things that they feed on its related to proximity,' Korman said. Korman said there is a list of more than 70 plant species the insects eat, but there isn't a definitive answer to why they like grapes so much. Spotting an egg nestĪn adult spotted lanternfly with its wings closed. She recommends checking the chimney before opening the flue to start a fire this winter. If they get inside a home, Korman said they are not harmful to humans or pets, just annoying. Lanternflies also like to hide out in chimneys or lay nests in hidden places. 'We want to make sure we're not moving egg masses around,' Korman said. Wood purchased from a big box store such as Home Depot or Lowes is treated, but if you've chopped down a tree locally, some pesky insects could be there. Spotted lanternflies could be in the logs, and moving the firewood around gives them another way to travel. Korman said if you have home cut firewood, burn it at home. 'They are really, really good hitchhikers,' Korman said.Īs adults, they like to move around, and they will lay their eggs on all kinds of material: Camping equipment, patio furniture, firewood and boats. Still, with the adult spotted lanternflies gone, winter can be the best time to look for nests and also help prevent more spreading. 'But here in Pennsylvania thus far, it's not so cold enough to kill the eggs in the winter,' Korman said, adding the offspring have survived the winter since 2014. 'But it doesn't affect the eggs.'Īt the beginning of the lanternfly invasion, Korman said researchers suspected that the climate was too harsh for the eggs to survive. 'Sometimes they even die with their male parts attached to a tree,' Korman said. As the winter months approach, Korman said that the adult spotted lanternflies will die with the first hard frost, providing some relief to overwhelmed crop managers.