Spotted Lanternfly Control: How to Get Rid of Spotted Lanternflies

This article is a general spotted lanternfly control guide. Using the products and methods suggested will help you to completely control spotted lanternflies. Follow this DIY guide and use the recommended products and we guarantee 100% control of spotted lanternflies.

When homeowners come across the spotted lanternfly they assume it is a species of moth or fly when in reality it is an invasive member of the Fulgoridae family, leafhopper. Though a native of Asia and China this pest is commonly found in agricultural crops across the eastern states in the United States. Even though this pest has been feasting on crops and trees for some time there is few natural predators to suppress spotted lanternfly populations.

Both the adult and nymph stages of spotted lanternflies pose serious damages to foliage within your property. These pests use their piercing and sucking mouthparts to eat the tissue of plants and trees for nutrients. During their sucking activity the spotted lanternflies also secreates a sugary fluid similar to aphid honeydew, which encourages mold and disease growth.

Since there are few natural predators and risk of over infestations or disease growth makes spotted lanternflies a difficult pest to control. However, by following the steps and products listed in our DIY guide you can quickly control spotted lanternfly populations before your foliage becomes seriously effected.

Identification

Before proceeding with treatment, you will need to certain that the pest infesting your crops and trees is a spotted lanternfly. Misidentification can lead you to using the wrong or ineffective insecticides, which can be a waste of your time and money. Refer to the following characteristics for spotted lanternfly identification.

• Spotted lanternfly nymphs have 4 stages of growth before becoming winged adults. In the first three stages, nymphs have white spotted bodies while in the fourth stage they develop black and red molting under the white spots.
• Forewings of adult spotted lanternfly is colored gray with black spots, the hind wings are red and black spotted on the lower portion and grey and black with a bold white stripe on the upper portion of the hindwing. These wings are capable of short flights, but are weak to carry the spotted lanternfly. They will jump rather than fly.
• Female spotted lanternflies measure an inch in length while the males measure about 4/5 inches in length.
• Egg sacs of spotted lanternflies are smooth in appearance with a shiny surface. They will be colored in light orange with a waxy coating.

Use the image and description above to help you properly identify a spotted lanternfly. If you are unsure of the pest infesting your crops or trees then contact us by email with a picture of your pest or by phone.

Inspection

Once you have confirmed spotted lanternflies on your property, you can proceed to the next phase of control which is inspection. During this phase, you will determine where to apply your products and avoid unnecessary applications.

Where to Inspect

Spotted lanternflies will feed on numerous species of plants and trees, primarily grapes, apples, cherries, and other fruit and timber tree species. Eggs of this pest will be laid in large masses within tree trunks, branches, rocks, or even walls or fences.

What to Look For

From May to September, the spotted lanternfly travel in large swarms covering the entire surface of the plant, tree bark, or sometimes timber surfaces like porches. During their feeding activity, they may leave a sugary substance, called honeydew, or leave several egg masses which resembles clumps of mud. These masses of eggs can be found on any smooth vertical or horizontal surfaces such as tree barks, stones, vehicles, outdoor furniture, plant surfaces, or other manmade surfaces. With eggs laid from May to sometimes mid-November, they will hatch in the early spring. During the mid-summer, spotted lanternfly nymphs form into the 4 stage then emerge as adults by August.

Treatment

Once you have confirmed the areas where the spotted lanternfly is invading then you can proceed with treatment. Before proceeding, make sure you wear the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) when handling or applying any pesticide products.

We recommend using a liquid systemic insecticide with a long-lasting residual to treat future or present spotted lanternflies. Supreme IT is a broad-spectrum insecticide that treats over 70 types of pests, including leafhoppers which is what spotted lanternflies are associated with. Once applied the product will remain on the treated area for up to 90 days before reapplication is needed.

Step 1: Prune or Scalp Plant Surfaces

Spotted lanternflies often lay eggs on tree bark or plant surfaces during the months of May to mid-November. Periodic trimming of plant limbs and leaves with a hedge trimmer or pruner would be best.

Other surfaces that cannot easily be removed with a pair of pruners can be treated with a power-jet spray of water. Spray surfaces such as car or man-made furniture with a medium pressure to avoid water damages.

You may also scrape these surfaces with a piece of cardboard, but this will prove to be tedious without the use of an insecticide product.

Step 2: Apply Supreme IT

Determine how much Supreme It to use by calculating the square footage of the treatment area. To do this, measure the length and width of the treatment area in feet and multiply together (length X width = square footage). For spotted lanternfly applications (also known as leafhoppers) use 0.25 to 0.5 oz. of Supreme IT per gallon of water per 1,000 sq. ft.

You may need to use a hose-end sprayer to reach tree heights. To mix for a hose-end sprayer, fill the hose-end sprayer with the appropriate amount of product then attach to the end of your garden hose. Spray until the correct amount of water is added. Make sure to treat the top and bottom of leaves and branches of trees until wet, but not to the point of run-off.

This product may be applied to non-bearing crops or perennial crops that will not produce harvestable raw agricultural commodities during the season of application.

Prevention

Once the spotted lanternfly infestation has been removed, ensure they do not return by following the listed preventative measures.

• Wrap your tree with several strips of wide sticky paper or duct tape around its base. Get your garden hose and spray with a stream of high-pressure water. Any spotted lanternfly not caught will scramble back up the tree and become caught.
• Spray approved plants with Supreme IT on a quarterly basis.
• Crush the spotted lanternfly with a gloved hand.
• Scrape the eggs off of trees, cement blocks, plant surfaces, and other man-made furniture. Other smooth surfaces such as vehicles can be treated with water from a spray nozzle. Place these scraped off eggs into a sealed plastic bag with rubbing alcohol into an outdoor trashcan.
• Mow your yard when it reaches a height of 3 inches to disrupt spotted lanternfly activity. Prune decaying or dead tree branches, limbs, and leaves.

Key Takeaways

What is a Spotted Lanternfly?

• A spotted lanternfly is a plant hopping pests that is neither a moth or fly despites its appearance. This pest ingests the juice from the tissue of trees and crops leaving behind a honeydew residue which can lead to mold or other disease growth.

How to Get Rid of Spotted Lanternflies

• Spotted lanternflies can be removed with continual trimming and long-lasting insecticide applications such as Supreme IT. We recommend treating during the first half of May and September.

Preventing Spotted Lanternfly Reinfestations

• To prevent spotted lanternfly infestations, we recommend regular pruning and mowing practices along with quarterly applications of Supreme IT. You may leave sticky paper around the base of trees to prevent spotted lanternflies from laying or chewing on the foliage surfaces.