What Are Spotted Lanternflies Attracted To in Your Yard?

Virginia summers are among some of the best you’ll experience. However, certain pests can make outdoor activities a bit less enjoyable, and one of them is becoming a bigger problem this year. We’re talking about the spotted lanternfly: an invasive species from Asia that’s making itself known across Central Virginia. 

While these pests can be pretty stubborn, Mosquito Squad Plus knows exactly how to remove them and help prevent them from returning to your yard. If you’re having trouble with spotted lanternflies this year, let’s talk about what they might be attracted to in your yard and how our trained technicians can help you take back your space.

When and Where Are Spotted Lanternflies Usually Found?

Spotted lanternflies typically emerge in late spring and last through the fall. When they appear as nymphs, they’re black with white spots, which often gets them mistaken for ticks at this stage. Then, they become red with black and white spots right before adulthood. When they lay eggs, they tend to go for flat, usually vertical surfaces like trees, boulders, or stone. 

Their egg masses look like grayish mud smears and are made of a material that’s designed to protect the eggs through harsh winter conditions so they can safely emerge in the spring. If you come across these smears on your property or even on hikes in other areas, it’s important to destroy them right away.

Why Are Spotted Lanternflies a Problem?

Spotted lanternflies are an invasive planthopper species that have contributed to major losses in agricultural production throughout the United States. They favor the tree-of-heaven and damage many plants and trees through feeding, which results in a sooty mold they leave behind called honeydew. This sticky substance promotes mold production and kills what’s left of crops after they eat them.

By destroying egg masses on sight and reporting sightings to state agriculture departments, you can help reduce the spread of these invasive pests, which also makes your own yard a better place to spend time. To destroy these pests when you spot them on a tree or flat stone, scrape them off and submerge them in a bucket of water with either a bleach or dish soap solution. 

How Professional Pest Control Helps Remove Spotted Lanternflies From Your Yard

Here at Mosquito Squad Plus of Central VA, we’ve developed a signature method for treating these pests that helps target them at the source and prevent future infestations from forming. It begins with a yard inspection by trained technicians so we can better understand what they’re attracted to in your yard. 

Often, this results in our technicians treating trees-of-heaven and other trees that spotted lanternflies feed on. When spotted lanternflies feed on the trees-of-heaven, they are then knocked down. This is one of the most effective ways to treat a population of spotted lanternflies.

Searching for Spotted Lanternfly Control in Central VA?

When you need help managing spotted lanternflies, Mosquito Squad Plus of Central VA is here to help. During your service with us, you can count on our team to provide excellent customer service, transparent pricing, and back all of our expert work with a 100% satisfaction guarantee. 

Spotted lanternflies turning up in Central Virginia? Call Mosquito Squad Plus of Central VA at (804) 409-2710 or contact us online for a free quote.