The Spotted Lanternfly, an invasive pest with a voracious appetite for plants, poses a significant threat to our local ecosystems and agriculture. This guide focuses on practical methods to eliminate and control these destructive insects.

How To Get Rid of Lantern Bugs

Spotted lanternfly bugs can be killed using a combination of water and soap, or vinegar.

• Soap Spray:
  • Mix equal parts water and dish soap in a spray bottle.
  • Spray directly onto lanternflies to suffocate them.
• Vinegar Spray:
  • Combine equal parts water and white vinegar in a spray bottle.
  • Spray directly onto lanternflies, but be cautious as vinegar can harm plants.

Lanternfly Removal & Trapping

Physical Removal: Your First Line of Defense

• Scraping Egg Masses (Fall-Spring):
  • Locate egg masses: Look for brownish-gray, waxy smears on trees, rocks, or other surfaces.
  • Scrape into container: Use a plastic card or putty knife to remove the masses and place them in a sealed bag or container filled with alcohol or hand sanitizer. This will kill the eggs.
• Trapping Nymphs and Adults (Spring-Fall):
• • Sticky bands: Wrap sticky bands around tree trunks to catch nymphs as they crawl upwards. Replace bands regularly. These are not an ideal solution because birds and other small critters can become trapped in the sticky traps, hurting the nearby ecosystem.

• • Circle traps: Construct these around tree bases to intercept nymphs.

• • • Commercial traps: Consider options like the “Tree Tanglefoot Insect Barrier.”
    • Hand-picking/Vacuuming: For smaller populations, collect lanternflies in a container of soapy water.

Lanternfly Pesticides

Pesticides should be the last option as many pesticides cause cancer and other harmful health issues both in humans and wildlife.

Chemical Control: When Necessary

• Insecticides (Spring-Fall):
  • Target nymphs: Young lanternflies are more susceptible to insecticides.
  • Effective ingredients: Look for products containing bifenthrin, carbaryl, dinotefuran, imidacloprid, or zeta-cypermethrin.
  • Follow label instructions: Always adhere to safety guidelines and local regulations.
• Tree Injections (Professional Service):
  • For larger trees: Inject systemic insecticides into the tree’s vascular system for long-term protection.

Prevention: A Proactive Approach

• Remove Host Plants: The Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima) is a preferred host. If possible, remove it from your property.
• Regular Inspections: Check trees, plants, outdoor furniture, and vehicles for egg masses and nymphs. Early detection is key.
• Report Sightings: Notify your local agricultural authorities of any lanternfly sightings, especially in new areas.

Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus) Removal

The spotted lanternfly is an insect that has become a major pest in many parts of the United States. It is invasive, and is essentially a weed that grows into a tree wherever it can. It is prominent in New York City. The spotted lanternfly feeds on a wide variety of plants, but it strongly prefers the tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima). This invasive tree is the lanternfly’s preferred host for feeding and reproduction. If you remove the tree, it removes their place to breed, and should help reduce the population of this bug — especially if you’re a homeowner looking to use your yard this summer.

Removing the tree of heaven can help get rid of lanternfly bugs in several ways:

• Eliminates preferred food source: By removing the tree of heaven, you eliminate the lanternfly’s primary food source. This makes the environment less hospitable for them, reducing their ability to thrive and reproduce.
• Disrupts reproduction cycle: Lanternflies prefer to lay their eggs on the Tree of Heaven. Removing these trees eliminates egg-laying sites, reducing the next generation of lanternflies.
• Creates a trap tree strategy: In some cases, a few tree of heaven trees may be intentionally left standing and treated with insecticides. This creates a ‘trap tree’ that attracts lanternflies, which then ingest the insecticide and die. This method can be an effective way to control lanternfly populations. It is important to work with experts to ensure it is implemented safely and effectively, providing you with the support and guidance you need.
• Improves overall ecosystem health: Both Tree of heaven and spotted lanternflies are invasive species that can harm native plants and ecosystems. Removing the tree of heaven not only helps control lanternflies but also promotes the growth of native plants, which can support a healthier and more diverse ecosystem.

Trees Infested by Spotted Lanternflies:

• Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima)
• Apple trees (Malus spp.)
• Stone fruits (peach, plum, cherry, apricot) (Prunus spp.)
• Grapes (Vitis spp.)
• Maples (Acer spp.)
• Oaks (Quercus spp.)
• Walnuts (Juglans spp.)
• Willows (Salix spp.)
• Birches (Betula spp.)
• Pines (Pinus spp.)
• Dogwoods (Cornus spp.)
• Redbuds (Cercis spp.)
• Black Gum (Nyssa sylvatica)
• Hickory (Carya spp.)
• Serviceberry (Amelanchier spp.)
• Tulip Poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera)
• American Beech (Fagus grandifolia)
• Sassafras (Sassafras albidum)
• Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis)
• White Ash (Fraxinus americana)

Call Owens Brothers Tree Service: If you have a large infestation or are concerned about high-risk trees (e.g., Tree of Heaven, apple, maple, or other preferred hosts), contact Owens Brothers Tree Service (718-885-0914) for professional assistance. We offer various services, including tree removal, trimming, pruning, cutting, and stump grinding, which can help manage lanternfly populations and protect your landscape.