Spotted Lantern Fly help! - Ask Extension
Hi!
This is the first summer that I've noticed SLFs in my neighborhood. Adults have appeared on the back deck, and congregate near the patio doors. W...
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Spotted Lantern Fly help! #879615
Asked July 31, 2024, 2:32 PM EDT
Hi!
This is the first summer that I've noticed SLFs in my neighborhood. Adults have appeared on the back deck, and congregate near the patio doors. We have four young fruit (cherry and apple) trees in our yard and I'm worried about them. I can't tell whether there are eggs or nymphs on the trees, but I'm worried there are. I've seen a few SLFs in the vegetable garden, but not really around the plants.
What can i use to discourage SLFs from hanging around? What would you recommend I do to protect my fruit trees?
Also, I'm totally grossed out by these bugs. The idea of getting close enough to squish them makes my skin crawl.
Any advice you have is helpful!
Thanks!
Baltimore County Maryland
Expert Response
We can assist with information that should help.
First off, don't be too worried or grossed out.
Spotted Lanternfly are not the best flyers/are somewhat clumsy and might accidentally bump into you but not to worry as they will not bother or bite you. The adults are actually kind of pretty in their own way- maybe pretend they are butterflies?
As far as your fruit trees go, they are not likely to be harmed. Grapes are challenged by this pest but generally trees and other plants are not being terribly affected.
Here is our page to learn more about them:
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/spotted-lanternfly-home-gardens/
They are going to be a nuisance pest for a while (like the brown marmorated stinkbug was) until our insects, birds and other wildlife figure out that they are tasty.
We don't recommend any insecticide use.
The good news is that in the areas in Maryland where they first arrived a few years ago, there are not great numbers of them there anymore.
Christine
First off, don't be too worried or grossed out.
Spotted Lanternfly are not the best flyers/are somewhat clumsy and might accidentally bump into you but not to worry as they will not bother or bite you. The adults are actually kind of pretty in their own way- maybe pretend they are butterflies?
As far as your fruit trees go, they are not likely to be harmed. Grapes are challenged by this pest but generally trees and other plants are not being terribly affected.
Here is our page to learn more about them:
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/spotted-lanternfly-home-gardens/
They are going to be a nuisance pest for a while (like the brown marmorated stinkbug was) until our insects, birds and other wildlife figure out that they are tasty.
We don't recommend any insecticide use.
The good news is that in the areas in Maryland where they first arrived a few years ago, there are not great numbers of them there anymore.
Christine
