(HEALTH) Health Department Offers Tips on How to Reduce Spotted Lanternfly Population

PITTSBURGH – Spotted lanternflies have become more prevalent and a significant nuisance to most Allegheny County residents. The Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) has received several inquiries related to what it is doing to address the issue. Because the insects do not pose a threat to the physical health of residents (they are not known to carry diseases that can impact humans), the department is not directly involved in response, but has provided the following information on how to combat the lanternfly population.

The spotted lanternfly is an invasive insect that has spread throughout Pennsylvania since its discovery in Berks County in 2014. These insects feed on plant sap, including the sap of grapevines, maples, black walnut, and other common plants throughout the commonwealth. While a recent Penn State University study showed that spotted lanternflies aren’t as harmful to most Pennsylvania hardwood trees as previously feared, the insects have been found to be harmful to hops, kiwi, cucumber plants and grapes.

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture has issued a quarantine order for 51 Pennsylvania counties, including Allegheny County. The purpose of the order is to stop the spread of spotted lanternflies to new areas to protect the commonwealth’s economy and residential quality of life.

To stop the spread of spotted lanternflies, residents can:

Learn how residents and businesses can comply with the spotted lanternfly quarantine order
Any efforts residents make in destroying the spotted lanternfly or its egg masses help reduce populations on their property and in their community. Spotted lanternflies can be controlled by a combination of:

Physical removal at any life stage
Removal of Tree-of-Heaven host trees
Pesticide application

As Allegheny County residents live in a quarantine area, they should “look before they leave” as spotted lantern flies can move easily
Use the spotted lanternfly checklist to complete inspections of vehicles, trailers, or any outdoor items before movement in or outside of quarantine locations

Removing spotted lanternfly egg masses, or nests, are critical in reducing the insects’ population. Spotted lanternfly egg masses are laid in the late summer and into the early winter, with the majority of egg mass deposition occurring in October. Each egg mass can contain up to 50 eggs. Egg masses are the only stationary stage of the spotted lanternfly, making them an easy target for removal. Learn more about spotted lanternfly egg masses and how to remove them on the Penn State Extension’s website.

County residents can also learn more about what the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture is doing to reduce the spotted lanternfly population, as well as resources on what residents can do to combat them on their own properties on the agency’s website.

Outside of the techniques listed above to curb the spotted lanternfly population, residents are also encouraged to report egg masses, nymphs and adult colonies to Penn State Extension. The organization is tracking large groupings of lanternflies to help develop response strategies. Reports of groups of spotted lanternflies can be made on the Extension’s website or by calling the organization’s hotline at 1-888-422-3359.