According to nj.gov:  Spotted Lanternfly (SLF), Lycorma delicatula, is an invasive planthopper native to China, India, and Vietnam; it is also established in South Korea, Japan and the U.S. It was first discovered in the U.S. in Pennsylvania in Berks County in 2014 and has spread to other counties in PA, as well as the states of New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, New York, Connecticut and Ohio. This insect has the potential to greatly impact agricultural crops and hardwood trees. SLF feeds on the plant sap of many different plants including grapevines, maples, black walnut, and other important plants in NJ. While it does not harm humans or animals, it can reduce the quality of life for people living in heavily infested areas.

How to get rid of the Spotted Lanternfly:

If you look all over the internet, there are many suggestions on how to get rid of the Spotted Lanternfly. It is recommended to contact the New Jersey Department of Agriculture about Spotted Lanternfly sightings. 609-406-6943 or email slfplantindustry@ag.nj.gov

The SLF have gotten to be so invasive, and all over the place. It is recommended to kill any Spotted Lanternfly on sight. 

Recommended Methods of killing the Spotted Lanternfly (This information is from PlanetPrinceton.com by Krystal Knapp August 21, 2020)

• Stomp or squish the bugs with a fly swatter or wiffle ball bat.

• Spray with insecticidal soap.

• Spray with rubbing alcohol and water (you can add dish soap)

• Catch them in a plastic bottle.

• Wrap your tree with sticky paper or duct tape – Spray your tree with water and the bugs will go on the sticky paper.

• Use sticky paper at least 4’ off the ground all over the place

• Spray weeds vinegar

• *Plant Milkweed – The Spotted Lanternflies are attracted to Milkweed because is a similar plant from Asia, but Milkweed is poisonous to them. Monarch Butterfly Caterpillars eat Common Milkweed so you also will be helping the Monarch Butterfly.

•Table Salt at close range

• Kill Spotted Lanternfly Eggs • It is also recommended to scrape off the eggs which are usually laid out on tree bark and the undersides of branches – sometimes on rocks and flat surfaces. It is recommended to use a credit card to scrape the eggs and put the eggs in a container filled with alcohol. 

These pests are getting all over the place. There are sightings on the beaches, they are all over gardens, trees, etc. Remember – Kill a spotted lanternfly upon sighting one. 

Hopefully with everyone working together, we can eliminate these invasive insect pests. K.M.