The spotted lanternfly has been causing problems for NJ residents in recent years. This invasive bug damages trees and plants, while also reproducing in large numbers. What kind of lanternfly control methods are effective this time of year? Learn more about dealing with these spotted lanternflies in winter.
Do Lanternflies Survive Winter?
That depends on their age. Adult lanternflies don’t survive NJ’s freezing temperatures during the winter months. However, that doesn’t mean you have nothing to worry about. Lanternfly eggs are able to withstand the cold, which helps boost their population when spring comes.
Lanternfly Damage
What kind of damage do lanternflies cause? These bugs strip nutrients from trees and plants, which weakens them. When you have large numbers of these invasive pests around, this can cause serious harm to your yard. Lanternflies also leave honeydew on surfaces, which can attract more pests.
What to Do About Lanternflies
How can you stop lanternflies from becoming a problem next spring? You can let cold weather kill off the adults. As for the eggs, you can remove these yourself. Spotted lanternflies leave egg masses on trees and other surfaces, such as utility poles, rocks, and cement.
Finding and removing these egg masses helps keep lanternfly populations down. Search your yard throughout the winter months for eggs, and get rid of any you find. You can scrape them from surfaces, then place in a container with some rubbing alcohol to kill them. Crushing them also destroys them.
When to Hire Professional Pest Control
If you’re unsure about how to identify lanternfly egg masses, pest control experts can help. You can also get help eliminating eggs.
If you’re looking for spotted lanternfly control in NJ, please contact Allison Pest Control. We can give you more information on these invasive pests.
