Towns setting traps, but not spraying, for spotted lanternfly

Mayors are writing residents to say that over the past several days they had fielded inquiries via email and phone about whether their towns would be taking steps to control the spotted lanternfly, an invasive insect native to China, Vietnam and India and was first reported in this country in 2014.

“It has now reached Bergen County and residents have begun to experience infestations on their property as well as in public parks and playgrounds,” said Hillsdale mayor John Ruocco on July 21.

He said, “This insect has the potential to greatly impact agricultural crops and hardwood trees. Spotted lanternfly feeds on the plant sap of many different plants including grapevines, maples, black walnut, and other agriculturally important vegetation. While it does not harm humans or animals, it can reduce the quality of life for people living in heavily infested areas.”

He said, “As spotted lanternfly feed, the insect excretes honeydew (a sugary substance) which can attract bees, wasps, and other insects. The honeydew also builds up and promotes the growth for black sooty mold, which can cover the plant, forest understories, patio furniture, cars, and anything else found below SLF feeding.”

Ruocco said, “Although the borough will be applying government-provided traps on public property to slow the growth of these invasive pests, there are no plans to use insecticide sprays on either public or private property due to environmental concerns. Any excess traps will be made available to residents.”

The New Jersey Department of Agriculture says, "Survey your own property and community for possible SLF life stages. Any efforts you make in destroying the Spotted Lanternfly or its egg masses will help you and community reduce populations."

Ruocco said to watch for updates, and that meanwhile residents naturally are free to contact private lawn services, tree arborists, or pest control firms “to inquire whether control services are offered and whether the effort would be safe and effective. If you decide to consider this as an option, I urge you to notify your neighbors first out of an abundance of caution.”

The mayor said, “The best advice that is being given by the state is for residents to kill the SLFs on sight the old-fashioned way: by stomping on them on the ground.”

He said, “I have found that using a fly swatter can be effective if they are crawling on your house exterior, fence, or a tree. They are very sensitive to threatening motion and jump very quickly and far. However, because they jump forward, it helps to approach them frontally so that they jump into the path of your quickly descending foot or fly swatter ”

A warning: “You must be fast!

Also, using a fly swatter sometimes only stuns them, so it is best to stomp on them once they hit the ground.”

Montvale mayor Michael Ghassali said July 23, “The spotted lanternfly question and what is the town doing about it tops all questions this month. Although the town will be applying government-provided traps on public property to slow the growth of these invasive pests, there are no plans to use insecticide sprays on either public or private property due to environmental concerns.”

The state of New Jersey says spotted lanternfly will not sting or bite humans or animals.

For more information, visit nj.gov.