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Tag: spotted lanternfly

Stein Discusses Treating for Spotted Lanternfly in Delaware and Pennsylvania

Treating for spotted lanternfly has become a more significant concern among homeowners as the invasive pest continues to spread and be a nuisance in Delaware and Pennsylvania. Controlling the spotted lanternfly population can be done by knowing how to identify the pest and preventing further spread. Homeowners can take preventive measures, such as purchasing firewood locally and scraping off egg masses on their property, as well as ensuring that none of the insects are hitching a ride on their vehicles when they travel. Here are a few tips on how to identify and treat for spotted lanternfly on your property.

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Identifying Spotted Lanternfly

Spotted lanternfly with wings open | invasive species in Delaware | Stein Tree Service

Treating for spotted lanternfly requires identifying their presence. Regarding the insects themselves, spotted lanternfly are small planthoppers with black heads, gray-brown forewings, and black spots on their forewings. The adults also have red hindwings underneath their forewings. Spotted lanternfly can also be detected and identified in their other life stages:

  • Early nymphs are tiny (⅛ to ½ inch) and can be challenging to find due to their size. The nymphs are all black with white spots.
  • Late nymphs are around ½ inch long, and have red bodies with black stripes and white dots.

Adult spotted lanternfly is the easiest to identify, thanks to their bigger size and distinct body coloration.

Spotted lanternfly will typically lay eggs on trees in the fall, although any hard surface (decks, rocks, houses) can be a potential spot for laying eggs. Egg masses are usually around 1 to 1½ inches long and make items appear to be covered in mud. These egg masses can also typically be found in the late fall.

Treating for Spotted Lanternfly

If you see spotted lanternfly on or around your property or trees, the best solution is to contact a professional, certified arborist. An arborist can closely examine the situation and determine the best treatment options for your trees. Also, homeowners can do a couple of things to help keep their trees safe from the spotted lanternfly’s dangers.

Prevent Transporting Spotted Lanternfly

spotted lanternfly young on plant

One of the significant reasons spotted lanternfly has become such a big problem is how easily the pest can move from one region to another, often through human activity. If you plan on going camping soon or transporting firewood, keep your firewood at home and purchase firewood locally instead. Hopping on firewood and moving from county to county is one of the primary reasons spotted lanternfly has been able to spread so quickly. Be sure to check your wheel wells and under your car for any egg masses or insects, too. Parking away from infected trees, keeping items away from those trees, and rolling your windows up when you are parked are effective ways to prevent spreading the pest.

Scrape Egg asses from Trees

If you see any spotted lanternfly around your property, check your trees, deck, car, and any outdoor surface on your property for any of their egg masses. After finding one, scrape off the egg mass with plastic cards or a putty knife. Make sure to scrape the egg mass into a bag or container filled with rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer. Some eggs may be unreachable, resting at the tops of trees or well-hidden.

Tree Traps

Another effective means of treating for spotted lanternfly, particularly nymphs, is to use bands or tree traps to catch them. Sticky bands around trees where spotted lanternflies feed (such as the Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima)) can catch nymphs. To prevent other animals or insects from being caught on the traps, only apply the tape if you know you have an infestation, reduce the band’s surface area by cutting, and use a wire or mesh around the band.

Call a Professional, Certified Arborist

Some of the other tactics for controlling spotted lanternfly involve insecticide or pesticides. You should use these options with caution due to the effect chemical controls may have on the rest of your plants and local ecosystem. If you want the best results for getting rid of spotted lanternfly, contacting a certified arborist who will inspect your property and advise you on the solution is ideal.

Contact Stein Tree for Spotted Lanternfly Treatment & Tree Care

If you see this invasive species on your property and want to keep your trees safe, contact Stein Tree Service. Stein performs commercial and residential plant and tree care services, including plant health care (PHC), tree removal, trimming, and pruning. Our team of tree care specialists is certified to treat in areas of spotted lanternfly infestation in Delaware and Pennsylvania. Contact us for a free consultation.

The Spotted Lanternfly Quarantine Has Been Expanded in PA: What You Need to Know

In Pennsylvania, the spotted lanternfly quarantine has been expanded to include 12 new counties in advance of the hatching that occurs in spring. So far, these counties have a few municipalities with a known infestation, rather than complete contamination. Still, the spotted lanternfly has done enough damage to Pennsylvania’s environment and various industries to warrant such caution. In addition, the ISA (International Society of Arboriculture) and the TCIA (Tree Care Industry Association) have designated that taking care of invasive pests including the spotted lanternfly are considered essential services under the shelter in place restrictions for Pennsylvania and Delaware. Below is everything you need to know about spotted lanternflies and the expanded quarantine.

Quarantine Guidelines

The quarantine has been established to limit the spread of spotted lanternfly, which is a “hitchhiker” and tends to catch a ride to other areas on vehicles or things being transported. Trucks carrying loads from outside the quarantine area into the area, or through the area if they are stopping inside, must acquire permits. Businesses, such as landscapers or professional tree care companies, must be certified to work in quarantine areas. Fines may be assessed for noncompliance with the quarantine.

The additional counties bring the number of counties under quarantine in Pennsylvania to 26. The newest counties added are:

  • Allegheny
  • Beaver
  • Blair
  • Columbia
  • Cumberland
  • Huntingdon
  • Juniata
  • Luzerne
  • Mifflin
  • Northumberland
  • Perry
  • York

Spotted Lanternfly Facts

 

Spotted lanternfly with wings open | spotted lanternfly quarantine | Stein Tree Service

The first recorded spotting of the spotted lanternfly in the United States was in 2014, and the pest is found mostly in states along the east coast, particularly Pennsylvania.

Adult lanternflies have black heads, and are about one inch long. Their most distinctive feature is gray wings with small black spots. When flying, the bug shows smaller bright red wings, which are hidden during rest. Younger lanternflies look more like larvae and have black spots, slowly gaining a red color with age.

Spotted lanternflies can quickly expand their presence, flying or hopping onto vehicles or transported materials, including:

  • Firewood
  • Construction or landscaping materials
  • Outdoor equipment or furniture
  • Crates or boxes

The Tree of Heaven is the preferred host for the spotted lanternfly, but other trees such as fruit and pine trees may also be affected.

How You Can Help Protect Your Trees

Though the spotted lanternfly quarantine has been expanded, the spotted lanternfly could show up anywhere. One way that you can help Pennsylvania manage this invasive pest is by being diligent and looking out for any signs of spotted lanternflies or activity. Spotted lanternfly blend in when resting on trees, so residents must be observant.

We also encourage you to look out for egg masses. Egg masses will either look similar to smears of mud or vertical rows of seed-like eggs. These will be found on trees, and because late-April and May are typically when these eggs hatch, inspecting your trees right now is especially vital.

Contact Stein Tree Service for Tree Services in Spotted Lanternfly Quarantine Areas

The spotted lanternfly is a growing problem. The spotted lanternfly quarantine has been expanded for this reason. Stein Tree Service is committed to the health of our trees and helping homeowners maintain a healthy landscape. If you see the pest or evidence of activity, contact us for a consultation.

Stein Discusses Invasive Species in Delaware

One threat that the Delaware environment faces is damage by invasive species. An invasive species is a non-native plant, insect or animal that is introduced into a region and causes some harm. That harm can affect plants or humans, and the damage can be economic or environmental. Many people have likely heard of some invasive species in their regions, but may be unaware of the harm caused by these species. Stein discusses a few of the invasive species in Delaware.

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Stein Tree Encourages Action during Invasive Species Awareness Week

Emerald Ash Borer on a branch | Invasive Species Awareness | Stein Tree Service
spotted lanternfly on a tree with egg mass

Many people have heard of the dangers of invasive species. An invasive species is introduced to a region rather than being native and damages the environment or human health. As a result of these invasive species, National Invasive Species Week has emerged to spread invasive species awareness and encourage people to stay vigilant. National Invasive Species Week 2020 is February 24 through February 28. Events take place all week in different locations to help increase awareness of invasive species. Notably this year, a webinar presented by NAISMA (North American Invasive Species Management Association) on the 25th includes the manager of “Don’t Move Firewood,” LeighGreenwood, and she will discuss the possible deregulation of EAB Quarantines.

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What You Need to Know About the Spotted Lanternfly Quarantine in Delaware

The spotted lanternfly has become quite a large problem in Delaware and other states across the country. Late spring’s rising temperatures signal the time when nymphs hatch, so we want to make awareness a priority. These insects easily spread to new areas and leave a huge path of destruction in their wake. Beginning in March, the government of Delaware enacted an emergency spotted lanternfly quarantine to help control the damage caused by the insect spreading. If you see evidence of spotted lanternflies on or around your property, contact a professional right away.

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Tree Care in West Chester, PA: The Invasion of the Spotted Lanternfly

Photos courtesy of Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.

The first presence of the spotted lanternfly, an insect originating in China, India and Vietnam, in the US was noted in 2014 in Berks County, PA. In November 2017, Philadelphia County was added to the existing quarantine. The quarantine was put into effect because the insects endanger local agriculture, specifically grapes, apples, hops, stone fruits and hardwoods.

Spotted Lanternfly Phases

Spotted_Lantern_Fly life cycles - Stein Tree

The spotted lanternfly has several phases before maturity. These are four nymph, or instar, phases beginning when they start to hatch in mid-May. In the first instar, nymphs are black with white spots and no wings, gradually developing red patches as they mature.

Adults’ heads are black and they have gray wings with black spots on the front portion. The wing tips of the wings have black rectangular blocks with grey outlines. If the spotted lanternfly is seen flying, you will see hind wings that are red at the base and black at the tip with a white stripe dividing them. The red part of the wing has black spots and the abdomen is yellow with black stripes on the top and bottom.

The nymphs may commonly be seen in late April to mid-May. Adult insects, which prefer the Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus alitissima) as host, can be seen from July into the fall months. In the late fall months, they lay eggs, in masses of 30-50, on trees, vehicles or other outdoor surfaces.

What if You See a Spotted Lanternfly?

The spotted lanternfly is very destructive and spreads quickly. If you find any in an area in which they are already known to be present, you should kill them. If the area has not been identified as having lanternfly presence, you should report the presence, either taking a picture or sample to be confirmed with authorities. You can do so by contacting the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA), either via emailing badbug@pa.gov or calling the Invasive Species Hotline at 1-866-253-7189.

How to Avoid or Treat for an Infestation

Regular inspection and tree care is helpful in early identification of lanternfly presence. In addition, the quarantines in place regulate the movement of the following items, so being careful of what you may be transporting into or out of quarantine areas, either on your person or belongings, can be helpful.

  • Firewood, brush, debris, bark, or yard waste
  • Logs, stumps, or any other tree parts
  • Remodeling, landscaping, or construction waste
  • Grapevines
  • Nursery stock
  • Crated materials
  • Outdoor household articles including RVs, lawn equipment, grills and furniture cover or tarps, tile, stone, deck boards, mobile fire pits, or any associated equipment and vehicles that are stored outdoors.

If you have ailanthus or tree of heaven in your yard, you may wish to remove them. Contact and systemic Insecticides can be used to treat trees that you elect to keep on your property. Your certified arborist or other tree care professional can advise you on the best course of treatment as well as help you identify lanternfly or other pests

Call Stein Tree for Experienced Tree Care in West Chester, PA

Stein Tree Service services areas in Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Maryland. For a free consultation or more information about our services, contact us at 302-478-3511. You can also learn more about spotted lanternfly at agriculture.pa.gov/spottedlanternflyalert.