How we kill spotted lanternflies

Sometimes spotted lanternflies go unnoticed for a season before their numbers swell, other times they show up all at once in big numbers.  Figuring this part out helps us determine the best course of action. 

Not every tree is a preferred host for spotted lanternflies.  They definitely have favorites, but will settle for a 2nd, 3rd, 4th, etc. choice.  The fact that they will settle is what makes this invader so dangerous to our landscapes.

Depending on the available host trees, infestation level and time of the year, we lay out a plan with our customers and give them the best options based on our experience.

Sometimes the answer is to do nothing for a potential customer.  If the timing is not correct, the treatments available won't be effective, or their are simply no trees to host spotted lanternflies on a property, we may suggest no treatments at a given time.  We may plan to redress treatment in the future if necessary.

We won't use contact or aerial insecticides.  While this goes against our normal inclination to avoid long lasting insecticides, this bug is not normal for our area.  Contact insecticides can work great for the immediate term, but have little lasting effect as new migration waves arrive.  Used carefully, we can get the most spotted lanternfly kills, using the least amount of insecticide, by properly targeting the weakness of this insect.  

There are huge gaps in the information about this invader.  The more we learn, the better we are going to be able to handle it.

We have invested our own time and money, attended conferences and hearings.  We have been asked to share our experiences with researchers,  met with lawmakers and continue to work to bring attention and resources to this problem.