Spotted Lanternfly: What Homeowners Need to Know

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The spotted lanternfly (SLF) continues to spread across Pennsylvania, affecting trees, vines, and ornamental plants. While alarming in appearance, understanding its behavior helps reduce unnecessary pesticide use.

SLF feeds on:

• Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima)
   
• Maples
   
• Walnuts
   
• Willows
   
• Fruit trees and grapevines
   

They feed by extracting sap, which weakens plants and leads to honeydew buildup, attracting mold and insects.

• Broad, repeated insecticide spraying
   
• Treating healthy trees with no SLF activity
   
• Panic removals of otherwise healthy trees
   

• Removing Tree of Heaven when appropriate
   
• Scraping and destroying egg masses in fall and winter
   
• Targeted treatments only when populations reach damaging levels
   
• Supporting overall tree health to reduce stress
   

Healthy trees tolerate lanternfly feeding far better than stressed ones.