Spotted Lanternfly (SLF) is a destructive pest. Worse yet, it’s spreading quickly. There’s a lot at risk. PA’s orchards, vineyards, and nurseries are in danger. Plus, SLF threatens the trees in your own yard.
Spotted Lanternfly is a concern for anyone who has trees and wants to enjoy their yard. Among its many evils, this pest harms trees, damages property and attracts stinging wasps.
Giroud offers systemic and topical treatments for Spotted Lanternfly control on your trees. Additionally, you can take many “Do It Yourself” actions.
Spotted Lanternfly is a dangerous, invasive pest. It’s a menace in our yards as well as for any business that relies upon trees.
Adult Spotted Lanternfly with wings closed (Credit: University of Delaware Cooperative Extension)
Damage to Our Yards
This pest multiplies rapidly, attacks trees in swarms and has a voracious appetite. It also produces sour smelling droppings that attract stinging wasps.
No Natural Predators
To make matters worse, SLF has no predators here to kill it! That’s because, this invasive pest is not native to the United States. It was accidentally brought into our region from China.
First discovered in the US in 2014
The pest made its first US landing in nearby Berks County in 2014. It has quickly spread across the Philadelphia region and into neighboring states.
How to Control Spotted Lanternfly
Giroud Plant Healthcare Manager, Rodney Stahl, applies a spray treatment to this tree to control Spotted Lanternfly.
Stopping this pest requires an all-out assault from both you and Giroud. Go to our Spotted Lanternfly Control page to learn more.
What is the best way to control this pest? Giroud has been working closely with Penn State, the PA Department of Agriculture and the USDA to determine the best treatments and timing for control.
Based on the latest research, Giroud’s SLF Program is a combination of targeted treatments and Tree of Heaven removal.
Giroud’s Spotted Lanternfly Control Program
High Risk Trees: SLF feed on an incredible variety of trees. Therefore, Giroud recommends protecting only high-risk trees that are most valuable to your landscape.
Timing and Treatments: SLF is most vulnerable to chemical control in the Adult stage. This stage lasts from July through November. For control, researchers tested numerous treatments.
Dinotefuran and Bifenthrin yielded the best results. Both treatments kill on contact and have staying power.
Number of Treatments Required: The exact number of treatments depends on when the Adults emerge and your first application is completed. For the best protection, a systemic treatment is recommended in July at the typical beginning of the adult stage. Then, a systemic or contact treatment is needed again in Fall. This approach targets adult SLF when pressure is most intense and hard to control.
Fertilization: Fertilizing trees is also important to promote healing and build strength.
Remove Tree of Heaven: If there are any Tree of Heaven on or near your property, they will attract SLF. Giroud has the special PA permit required to destroy these trees. To kill it, the tree must be treated with an herbicide. Then, if desired, the tree and stump can be removed.
Spotted Lanternfly is a beautiful pest. But, don’t let looks fool you. It’s is destructive, dirty, and multiplies quickly.
Identifying the Pest
You need to be a real detective to identify this insect. That’s because it goes through several changes in appearance during its lifecycle.
The Spotted Lanternfly Life Cycle is 3 Main Stages
Nymphs: May-July
Spotted Lanternfly Nymphs emerge from their eggs as small back bugs with white spots. Eventually, they will shed layers and becoe red with white and black spots.
Adults: July-November
SLF is most vulnerable to chemical control at this stage. As adults, wings develop and are the insect’s true tell-tale. With wings open, the underside shows bright red on patterns of black, white, and beige. An adult at rest, however, looks very different and muted in color with its wings folded down.
Egg Masses: September-November
Adult females lay rows of eggs on tree trunks or any flat surface, typically on the underside where they will be safe from predators. She coats her eggs in a secretion that hardens and looks like gray clay. This provides a protective cover through the winter.
Stinging Wasps attracted to droppings from Spotted Lanternfly
Trees, property, and people are all affected by Spotted Lanternfly. From a few bugs to massive swarms that cover a tree, this pest can unleash incredible damage.
The trouble starts when Spotted Lanternfly taps into a host tree. It’s a voracious feeder that sucks tree sap like a straw.
But Spotted Lanternfly damages more than trees. While feeding, its droppings coat everything around the tree with a sticky sour-smelling substance that attracts stinging wasps.
Tree of Heaven is Spotted Lanternfly’s favorite tree.
The following trees are at highest risk for attack by Spotted Lanternfly: Maples (especially Red and Silver), Willows, Walnuts, Japanese Snowbells, Birch, Locust, Grapevines and several varieties of fruit trees.* With SLF drawn to such a massive variety of trees, Giroud recommends protecting only high-risk trees that are most valuable to your landscape.
Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus), an invasive weedy tree from China, is a favorite host for Spotted Lanternfly. Ailanthus attracts SLF like a magnet and should be destroyed if it is on or near your property.
*The list of trees that SLF attack is based on Giroud’s experience managing this pest and lists compiled by the USDA and Penn State.
Spotted Lanternfly has spread throughout the Philadelphia area including Bucks, Chester, and Montgomery Counties. It has also been found in neighboring states.
Where SLF Has Been Seen
Is Spotted Lanternfly in your area? Check out our map showing where Giroud has seen reports of this pest!
Quarantines are in place to prevent this pest from spreading. The PA Department of Agriculture has created a map of the quarantine zone. The entire Philadelphia region is in the quarantine zone.
Report Spotted Lanternfly sightings to Penn State online or by phone.
How to Report Sightings
To conquer this pest, Penn State and the PA Department of Agriculture need to know where it is. Here’s what to do if you see Spotted Lanternfly.
Penn State Extension is hosting public meetings on this pest. The meeting includes updates on the threat and how you can help control the spread. Click here to find a local meeting.
Take Action
Take the first step. Schedule a free inspection with your Giroud ISA Certified Arborist. Together, you can determine the best steps for control.