Anne Arundel County Spotted Lanternfly Update: Fall Outlook And Action Steps

Hey neighbors, spotted lanternflies (SLFs) seem determined to be the uninvited guests of the season, showing up on trees, decks and just about everywhere else. Here’s where we are right now with SLFs, what you can expect as we move through fall, and what you can do about them.

You are probably starting to notice more of the adult SLFs. The adults tend to be more highly visible than the juveniles and can often be seen hopping and flying around as they feed. As we move into October, they will shift their energy into laying eggs.

Spotted lanternflies lay their eggs in clusters of 30-50 eggs arranged in four to seven rows. The egg clusters usually have a mud-like substance coating them, so depending on where these eggs are laid, they can be well camouflaged. They can be found on a variety of vertical surfaces such as trees, rocks, buildings, outdoor furniture and even cars. Fresh SLF egg clusters can be found from September through December in our area.

This frenzy of egg laying is the lanternflies’ way of throwing one last big party before the cold sets in. The lower temperatures that November and December typically bring are too much for the adult SLFs, which will die off once we start to get frosts. But the egg clusters that they so diligently hid can hatch into next year’s infestation in the spring.

I know that this all sounds overwhelming, but don’t give up. Here are some things that you can do now to reduce their numbers:

• Scrape egg clusters into a jar of rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer. Or, if these items are not handy, just smash the clusters! This reduces the size of the population that will hatch next year.
• Check your outdoor items. SLF have been known to hitch rides to new areas on cars, grills and patio furniture.
• Consider removing Tree-of-Heaven from your landscape. This ornamental but invasive tree serves as one of the major host plants for SLF infestations, and its removal can help with long-term control.
• Sticky bands and traps can be used, but be mindful that these traps can also be harmful to birds, pollinators and other beneficial insects.
• Squash on sight! That’s right, permission granted for the wholesale stomping, swatting, smashing and squishing of SLFs wherever you encounter them, although recent evidence seems to question the effectiveness of this approach.

Remember that even though it can be easy to get overwhelmed by the idea of invading SLFs, there is plenty that you can do to reduce their numbers. And by helping to slow down the spread of SLFs, we are giving native predators a chance to realize that SLFs can be delicious!

The knowledgeable staff at Homestead Gardens is here to help with all of your garden questions. Stop by anytime to chat with an associate. You can also receive timely updates and seasonal tips by following Homestead Gardens on Instagram or Facebook.

Visit Homestead Gardens at 522 Ritchie Highway in Severna Park or go to www.homesteadgardens.com.