Did you know – Spotted Lanternflies don’t have a “larvae” stage like a beetle or butterfly. Instead, they hatch from eggs as nymphs. Simply knocking the eggs onto the ground won’t kill them, they can still hatch in the soil.
Scraping egg masses is one of the most effective ways to curb the population of the invasive Spotted Lanternfly (SLF) before they hatch in the spring. Late Fall/Winter is the easiest time to spot them once the leaves have fallen. Spotted Lanternflies love to hide. Check the undersides of branches, behind peeling bark, and even inside the wheel wells of your car if it’s been parked near infested trees. Tree-of-Heaven (Ailanthus) is their favorite host. If you have these on your property, check them first.
You don’t need expensive equipment; most of these are likely in your kitchen or junk drawer:
- A scraping tool: A plastic putty knife, an old credit card, or a butter knife.
- A container: A plastic bag or a small container (like a pill bottle or Tupperware).
- Rubbing alcohol or Hand Sanitizer: This is crucial to ensure the eggs are actually killed.
Follow these steps:
- Prepare your container: Fill your bag or container with a small amount of rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer.
- Scrape: Place your container directly beneath the egg mass. Use your tool to scrape downward, firm enough to lift the mass off the bark and let it fall into the liquid.
- Seal and Soak: Make sure the masses are completely submerged in the alcohol. Leave them for at least 24 hours before throwing them in the trash.
Getting the community involved is the best way to make a real dent in the local population
Did you know that every “mud patch” on our trees can hold up to 50 invasive Spotted Lantern Flies?
Lots of folks noticed them when they were full grown and swarming the trees at the end of the summer, but now is the time to kill them and make a difference.
We need your help to stop them from hatching this spring!
It’s a small task that makes a massive difference!