Although spotted lanternflies appear beautiful with their delicate spots and striking black and red stripes, they are an invasive species and threaten both local trees and your backyard, so they should be eliminated on sight, writes Janine Frank for Hunker.
The insect is not hard to kill, as they are poor fliers and tend to hop out of danger rather than fly far. If you notice spotted lanternflies in your area, always check your vehicle and clothing for bugs or egg masses to avoid accidentally spreading them further.
Monitor your property for any signs of spotted lanternflies and inspect your trees regularly, especially their preferred food, including fruit trees, hardwoods and the tree of heaven.
The fastest way to kill a spotted lanternfly is simply to squish it. There are also pesticides available that will kill the bug while not hurting your tree in the process.
Another effective method for getting rid of the pest is to build traps that catch the insects as they climb up the tree. Once trapped, you can quickly and safely kill them using your preferred method.
Read more about how to identify, stop and safely eliminate spotted lanternflies before they damage your trees and garden in Hunker.
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