spotted lanterfly - Ask Extension
What is the best way to get the spotted lanterflies off of my balcony and keep them off? I can't even sit outside anymore because they have taken over...
Knowledgebase
spotted lanterfly #879301
Asked July 29, 2024, 4:44 PM EDT
What is the best way to get the spotted lanterflies off of my balcony and keep them off? I can't even sit outside anymore because they have taken over my balcony, and now the front staircase to my building.
Baltimore County Maryland
Expert Response
Kelly,
Yes, those SLF nymphs are a real nuisance! You don't say how high your balcony is, but you could blow them off with blower, or use a hand or shop vac. If you don't have one, sweep them off and put them into a bucket of soapy water or rubbing alcohol. As for keeping them off, that's pretty much impossible. They don't actually fly, they jump. Nothing repels them.
Our page on Spotted Lanternfly Management offers several options for what you can do. The use of any insecticide on them is discouraged, as it may harm beneficial insects and spiders that are useful for controlling the lanternfly population naturally. Spiders, mantids, assassin bugs, and birds are some of their main predators.
Thanks for contacting Ask Extension. Good luck!
Yes, those SLF nymphs are a real nuisance! You don't say how high your balcony is, but you could blow them off with blower, or use a hand or shop vac. If you don't have one, sweep them off and put them into a bucket of soapy water or rubbing alcohol. As for keeping them off, that's pretty much impossible. They don't actually fly, they jump. Nothing repels them.
Our page on Spotted Lanternfly Management offers several options for what you can do. The use of any insecticide on them is discouraged, as it may harm beneficial insects and spiders that are useful for controlling the lanternfly population naturally. Spiders, mantids, assassin bugs, and birds are some of their main predators.
Thanks for contacting Ask Extension. Good luck!
