Spotted lanternflies are invasive bugs that can do significant damage to trees and plants. NJ residents can help keep lanternfly populations down, but this involves knowing more about these pests. Find out more about them, including lanternfly control.
How to Identify Spotted Lanternflies
During summer and fall, keep an eye out for flying bugs with red wings, black dots, and a body with black and yellow stripes. During spring, these bugs are all black with white spots. During late spring, they have a bright red coloring with black stripes and white spots.
How to Identify Their Eggs
Spotted lanternfly eggs are tiny, so they can be hard to notice. Look for the protective coating over them, which has a whitish-brown muddy appearance. Check on tree trunks, outdoor furniture, patios, and other external surfaces for these egg masses.
Which Trees Are Affected?
These invasive pests can damage several types of trees. Some of these include tree-of-heaven, oak, willow, apple, maple, and other deciduous trees. If trees in your yard are damaged, look for curling leaves, honeydew, fungus, and sap coming out of tree wounds.
Why Do They Damage Trees?
Spotted lanternflies remove sap from trees, which takes away nutrients. Trees that have been infested with these pests often become weak and can end up dying. These pests leave behind a honeydew substance that can attract other pests that cause even more damage.
How to Deal with Spotted Lanternflies
What should you do about these pests? Removing egg masses helps reduce their population. You can scrape these masses off trees and other surfaces, then destroy them. Pest control professionals can give you additional information on handling spotted lanternfly infestations.
Looking for spotted lanternfly control in NJ? Contact your local exterminator Allison Pest Control to get more information on our services.
