While we often wait until summer to ‘stomp’ out the invasive Spotted Lanternfly, the real battle begins right now in your own backyard.
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.
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.
Did you know that every “mud patch” on our trees can hold up to 50 invasive Spotted Lantern Flies?
It’s a small task that makes a massive difference!