~From Roots to Shoots~

By now, most everyone has either seen the Spotted Lanternfly (SLF) or at least heard horror stories from friends and family about the pest taking over their landscape. This pest is continuing its invasion of the Mainline at a swift pace. Although it favors feeding Ailanthus and fruit trees, it does not discriminate and will just as happily land on a tree as they will your shoulder.

SLF can be difficult to manage in the landscape given the pest’s ubiquitous nature and great numbers. However, steps can be taken year-round to GREATLY reduce their effect on your landscape and on your enjoyment of the outdoors.

Winter is the ideal time to scout your landscape for lanternfly egg masses. As our arborists scout your landscape, we take GPS based inventory of the property, noting the exact location where lanternfly eggs were found. Egg masses can be removed over the winter to help reduce the following season’s population.

Using our GPS inventory, we return in the spring to begin treating the nymphs as they emerge. Depending upon tree species, a combination of systemic and contact treatments may be used in order to knock down lanternfly nymphs as they feed.

Through late fall, the lanternfly climbs and jumps farther from their host tree. As the adults are flying, we switch strictly to contact treatments to knock down their populations. Multiple treatments may be required as more adult lanternflies move onto your property from untreated neighboring properties.

We are having a positive result managing this nuisance pest when a protective plan is in place.