In my last post, I mentioned the Ailanthus or “Tree of Heaven” as an example of an invasive weed-tree that we find popping up in nearly every garden space and empty lot in New York City. 

Now there’s another big reason to spot and remove this tree: it’s host to the region’s newest invasive pest, the Spotted Lantern Fly. 

This new (slightly glamorous) pest prefers the Ailanthus so much that you can even use the tree as a trap to round up the bugs and get a lot of them at once. Our friends the DEC recommend taking the flowing actions if you see this bug or a whole colony in your local playground, park, or garden:

How to Manage Spotted Lantern Flies in Your Schoolyard:

• Take a picture and email it to spottedlanternfly@agriculture.ny.gov
• Scrape off egg casings into a bucket of hot, soapy water or a baggie/jar of hand sanitizer.
• Mix equal parts dish soap and water, and spray directly on SLF (spotted lanternfly) and eggs. 
• The spray kills them instantly as the soap acts as an emulsifier, disrupting the insect’s protective outer layer (exoskeleton) and causing it to suffocate. 
• You can also make natural sprays with white vinegar and neem oil, which are effective and also have a minimal impact on the natural environment. 

• In a bowl or mason jar, you can place a mixture of dish soap, apple cider vinegar, and optional neem oil near the affected areas. This might be a good option to have nearby while the color seal is being applied. Similar to fruit flies, they will be attracted to the ACV and then drown in the soapy mixture. 
• A common method used is a sticky tape that is placed around the trunk of the tree and traps nymphs and adult flies when they walk across it. This tape can be purchased at Lowe’s, Home Depot, Tractor Supply, and Amazon.

• A “circle trap” for spotted lanternflies is a method of trapping these invasive insects by creating a barrier around a tree trunk that funnels them into a container. The trap consists of a screen or netting that is attached to the tree, creating a cone-shaped space that guides lanternflies upwards into a collection container. You can make one yourself (instructions here) or you can purchase one here. There aren’t many available for purchase, but most “hanging” bug traps will provide a similar purpose. 

You can also stomp to bug when it land on the ground. I personally struggle with squashing bugs so I’ll also be focusing on removing Ailanthus, egg casing if I see them, and perhaps dressing up in these glamour wings to educate others on the tricky bug this Halloween. 

Let us know if you see the Spotted Lantern Fly in your yard!