Trees dripping honey due or sticky stubstance - Ask Extension
Hello, we live in a small townhouse subdivision that backs to woods. These trees are not on our property and I can only assume that they are a part of...
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Trees dripping honey due or sticky stubstance #879065
Asked July 27, 2024, 8:34 PM EDT
Hello, we live in a small townhouse subdivision that backs to woods. These trees are not on our property and I can only assume that they are a part of our subdivision. I think our HOA has trimmed these trees in the past. We have noticed that these tall trees that hang over our property/backyard are dripping some sort of sticky substance. I have read that the trees could be in distress and that it could be honeydew or excrement from the spotted lantern flies. We have seen nymphs and now adults. We try to kill as many as we can. I wasn’t sure if the trees did this last year because we recently built a larger deck that takes up more of the backyard. The railing and steps are constantly sticky. We also have a small fire pit that we like to use but we can’t now because of the trees constantly dripping. It’s really gross to think about what it could be. We don’t own these trees but they are causing damage to our property. Unfortunately, we can’t enjoy our new deck or backyard anymore. I will reach out to our HOA to talk about this issues but is there anything we can do? We are at a loss. Thank you.
Frederick County Maryland
Expert Response
We understand your situation and know it is frustrating.
The sticky substance falling from the trees is called honeydew. Honeydew is excreted by multiple types of sucking insects, such as scale, aphids, and most likely, in this case, Spotted Lanternfly.
Now that the Spotted Lanternfly is reaching adult stage we are hearing more about the issue. The trees are not in jeopardy or stressed, but you may have a great deal on those trees if they are their preferred host plant, the invasive Tree of Heaven, which are commonly found in wild areas.
After the honeydew falls, often black sooty mold will grow on the honeydew. Here is our page on both:
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/honeydew-and-sooty-mold/
We are not recommending the use of any pesticides for this new insect as it will harm other important non-target organisms.
They are expected to be a nuisance insect for a while as they are new and populations are larger, but in areas where they first came in to Maryland, they numbers are low as our birds, insects and other wildlife recognize them as food.
The honeydew and sooty mold will eventually die off and disappear. You may be able to help it along with the hose and warm, soapy water on your furniture and other surfaces.
If you can manage it, you could try to erect tarps to catch some of the honeydew before it reaches your deck/entertaining area.
Christine
The sticky substance falling from the trees is called honeydew. Honeydew is excreted by multiple types of sucking insects, such as scale, aphids, and most likely, in this case, Spotted Lanternfly.
Now that the Spotted Lanternfly is reaching adult stage we are hearing more about the issue. The trees are not in jeopardy or stressed, but you may have a great deal on those trees if they are their preferred host plant, the invasive Tree of Heaven, which are commonly found in wild areas.
After the honeydew falls, often black sooty mold will grow on the honeydew. Here is our page on both:
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/honeydew-and-sooty-mold/
We are not recommending the use of any pesticides for this new insect as it will harm other important non-target organisms.
They are expected to be a nuisance insect for a while as they are new and populations are larger, but in areas where they first came in to Maryland, they numbers are low as our birds, insects and other wildlife recognize them as food.
The honeydew and sooty mold will eventually die off and disappear. You may be able to help it along with the hose and warm, soapy water on your furniture and other surfaces.
If you can manage it, you could try to erect tarps to catch some of the honeydew before it reaches your deck/entertaining area.
Christine
