How to Eliminate or Control Spotted Lanternfly Adults:
If you find Spotted Lanternflies where they are known to exist, you should try to kill them. (They are here in Lower Mac.) The most effective way to eliminate them is to disrupt their favorite food and hang‐out. In late summer and fall, Spotted Lanternflies prefer feeding on Ailanthus altissima, commonly known as the “Tree of Heaven.” They can be found feeding on other plants and trees, but Ailanthus Altissima is their favorite host. Here’s an excellent resource to help you identify the tree:
How to identify a Tree of Heaven.
Identifying “Tree’s of Heaven” are the most effective way to control lanternflies long term.
If you have a Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus) on your property: please consider reducing the number, then treat remaining “trap trees” with insecticides. This is a longer‐lasting solution than simply spraying insects you see. Click here for instructions on properly IDing.
Why the tree of heaven spreads so devilishly and harms Pa. forests.
More detail about this process can be found at the following websites: Penn State Extension
1.) What to do if you find spotted lanternfly on your property.
2.) Mechanical Control: October – July
If you want to kill Spotted Lanternflies without controlling Ailanthus: When there are only a few insects, you can kill spotted lanternflies by swatting or crushing them. For large populations, two kinds of insecticides are widely available that will kill Spotted Lanternfly adults. Contact insecticides kill spotted lanternflies when the chemical contacts the insect directly. Systemic insecticides are absorbed by the tree and kill insects feeding on it. ALL insecticides must be used as directed on the label. Take the time to read the label carefully and follow the directions. Click the link in next section for more information on chemical treatments.
Lists of Chemical Treatments. Penn State Extension is currently testing to determine which insecticides are most effective in controlling adult spotted lanternflies. Preliminary results show insecticides with the active ingredients dinotefuran, imidacloprid, carbaryl, and bifenthrin are effective at controlling the spotted lanternfly. Neem oil and insecticidal soap provided some control, but results varied, and insects sometimes took several days to die.
Other items of interest.
Did you know? – Lower Mac recently permanently preserved 185+ acres of farmland on Saurkraut Ln?
Some good news. State Farmland Funding Update.
Want low taxes? Preserve Farmland.