What Are Spotted Lanternflies?
The first confirmed sighting of spotted lanternflies in the United States occurred in Pennsylvania in 2014.
Since then, lanternflies have spread quickly throughout the East Coast and into the Midwest.
Credit:Catherine McQueen / Getty Images
Lanternfly eggs look a bit like lichen or dried blobs of grayish-brown mud.
They stay dormant through the winter before hatching into lanternfly nymphs in spring.
Use these natural treatment methods to remove adult lanternflies, nymphs, and eggs.
Credit:Dean Schoeppner
Fall and winter is the perfect time to check tree trunks and other hard surfaces for lanternfly eggs.
Then crush, burn, or drop the eggs into a container filled with rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer.
However, for larger infestations, its usually easier to remove lanternflies with a shop vac.
These products can all harm pollinators, though, and vinegar sprays can damage plants too.
These traps are typically constructed with fine mesh screening that funnels lanternflies upwards into a bag trap.
Attract Predators
Because lanternflies are not native to North America, they dont have any natural predators.
Be Vigilant
No matter whatpest control methodyou choose to use, consistency is key.
Check plants often for lanternfly adults, eggs, and nymphs, and immediately remove any lanternflies you find.
For example, handpicking works even better when combined with circle traps and organic sprays.
