Chances are, you really value the trees and shrubs that you have in your landscape. They not only add aesthetic appeal but they might have additional benefits such as shade, privacy, and even an emotional connection.
That’s why you want to do what you can to protect your investment. Understanding the different pests that are out there and what kind of risk they may pose to your landscape is important.
One of those pests is the spotted lanternfly. First found in Pennsylvania, this invasive insect is now present in 15 US states (at the time of this writing), and continues to spread.
The spotted lanternfly can harm your trees and shrubs by feeding on their sap. They also excrete a sticky substance called honeydew which can attract other insects. Most people find them to be a major nuisance.
In this article, we’ll talk about spotted lanternfly prevention and control so that you can make wise choices for your property.
There is one generation of this pest per year. The spotted lanternfly overwinters in egg masses that are laid on a hard surface and hatch some time in May. The emerging nymphs (immature versions of the adults) will then feed on host plants throughout their development, making this insect a threat at all stages of its life.
This is an insect that has a gradual metamorphosis as the nymphs undergo four stages (“instars”) before fully maturing. Unlike some moths with a complete metamorphosis, this pest doesn’t have a larval (caterpillar) stage.
During the time the nymphs develop, they look quite different from the adult version of the pest. The first, second, and third instars are black with white spots. However, during the final stage (the fourth instar), this pest develops red patches over the black and white spots.
Typically by July these pests have grown to be considered mature adults, but are described as weak fliers (even though they do have wings). The spotted lanternfly is classified as a “planthopper,” meaning it doesn’t fly long distances at a time but instead travels from one plant to another close by.
It is a strong jumper and often does hop from location to location, more than it flies.
One of the questions that we get asked a lot is what happens if a lanternfly bites you?
The good news is that these pests are not known to bite or sting people (or animals). There have been no reported cases of anything like this. If you feel any sort of pinch from a spotted lanternfly that lands on you, it’s probably the legs grabbing onto your skin.
These pests are not known to cause any harm to humans but they can, however, harm your plants. That’s why you’ll want to consider spotted lanternfly control strategies to keep these pests off your property.
Unlike some tree pests that are small and tough to spot (even when they reach adult size), most people do notice signs of a spotted lanternfly infestation early on.
That’s because even the early feeding by nymphs can cause noticeable damage including stunted growth and reduced production.
In addition, when these insects feed on a tree, they excrete a sticky substance called honeydew. This can attract other insects to the site, such as ants, yellow jackets, mosquitoes, and wasps.
In time, sooty mold will grow on the excreted sap turning leaves, stems, and tree trunks black.
These pests are also pretty noticeable at all of their stages. Their bright colors and patterns make them easy to spot. And as adults, they are as big as an inch.
Here’s how to identify this pest at various stages.
Dealing with this pest means implementing an effective spotted lanternfly control solution.
If you do an online search for spotted lanternfly control, you’ll find there are lots of ideas for homemade concoctions (often using dish soap and other household ingredients) as well as spotted lanternfly traps.
Often, these DIY solutions are not highly effective. Furthermore, one of the problems with traps (particularly the bands of tape that many put around their trees) is that they can also inadvertently capture desired wildlife, like birds or beneficial insects.
While many still use this approach to address nymphs, it’s important that you do check that tape regularly. We find that the best way to address this pest is with a spotted lanternfly pesticide.
At Joshua Tree Experts, we use a three-step program that starts with a soil injection in the spring. This translocates throughout the tree, and when new spotted lanternflies hatch and start feeding on your tree, they die.
In the summer and fall, we can go back and use a contact product that will address any adults.
As with any pest, your best approach is spotted lanternfly prevention. Ideally, you don’t want to even give them a chance to grow into adults, when they can be more destructive.
That’s why treating in the spring is important. But there will always be some pests that got missed or that entered your property after that systemic treatment. That’s why our program targets the entire lifecycle of the pest from the nymph stage all the way up to the adult stage.
If you find spotted lanternfly eggs on your property you will also want to address those.
Spotted lanternfly egg masses look like a splatter of mud or even paint. Some say they think they resemble bird droppings. Often, their unassuming appearance makes them go unnoticed. But getting rid of these eggs can play an important role in spotted lanternfly prevention.
Egg masses are usually around 1.5 inches long and brown or gray in color. This pest likes to lay eggs on hard surfaces so you may find them on an exterior wall, a walkway, or even your car.
The recommended way to kill spotted lanternfly eggs is to fill a baggie with rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer, scrape the eggs off of the surface where you find them, and put them in the baggie. It is vital that they come into contact with the alcohol.
At the end of the day, your choice in spotted lanternfly treatment options will make a big difference in how well these pests are controlled.
Ever since this pest made its way to our country, there are more and more companies popping up that offer spotted lanternfly control. But ultimately, it makes sense to work with a company that has true horticultural expertise.
After all, the spotted lanternfly is just one of dozens of different pests that could be affecting your trees and shrubs. This is another reason why it is beneficial to hire a company that has tree care expertise for all trees as opposed to a company that has just jumped into spotted lanternfly treatment as an extra moneymaker.
This is a serious pest doing a lot of destruction to landscaping. Getting it under control so that it doesn’t continue to spread is incredibly important. We also believe you deserve to have confidence that your landscape is in good hands and safe from pest threats like this one.
When you make a wise choice, you can gain that peace of mind.
With the right care for your trees, you’ll gain valuable peace of mind. If you’re interested in having your trees inspected and their health assured, contact us for a free consultation or give us a call at 833-JTE-TREE.