Spotted Lanternfly Control
The spotted lanternfly was first found in southern Berks County PA in September of 2014. Since then, this invasive pest from Asia has spreading into several surrounding counties and is active throughout most of our service area.
This area’s new pest is becoming a serious issue for many homeowners. While their more recognizable in the adult stage, it’s actually the nymph stage that can do most damage to ornamental landscapes as well as orchards and vineyards. Spotted lanternflies are sucking insects which feed on the sap running through a plant’s vascular system. This then weakens the plant and leaves is vulnerable to other stresses.
Identifying the Spotted Lanternfly
The nymph activity will leave behind a sticky residue which triggers the growth of black sooty mold. You can find these sticky growths on cars, patios and understory plants. The initial nymphs hatch from eggs in May and will feed through July. Adult spotted lanternflies begin to appear in July and will continue to damage native and ornamental trees.
Read our blog to learn more about identifying spotted lanternflies during the different stages.
Spotted Lanternfly Treatment Programs
Luckily, early control attempts have proven successful. First, we can protect landscape plants by treating for The Spotted Lanternfly in the nymph stage with a Foliar Treatment in June. In July/August we return with a Soil Injected Systemic for mature trees especially prone to SLF attack (Maples, Birch, Willow, Silverbell and some others). We next treat the adult stage when they begin to swarm and disperse in September/October.
Soil Drench Systemic:
Applied to root zones of mature trees prone to SLF attack in early March through May.
Trunk Drench Systemic:
Applied to trunks of trees prone to SLF attack in May through August.
Foliar Nymph Treatment:
Applied to foliage/trunks of preferred plants in late May and June.
Active Adult Treatment:
Applied to foliage/trunks of preferred plants in late summer through fall.
