Outdoor Spotted Lanternfly Control Services
Are you dealing with swarms of the spotted lanternfly (SLF)? You’re not alone. This flying insect has become prevalent and can cause severe damage, including oozing sap, wilting, and leaf curling, to trees and other plant life. These developments are astonishing as SLF was only just discovered in 2014. Since then, this species has spread to various parts of the country and has been classified as a threat due to at least $324 million lost annually in agricultural production. The good news is that SLF is not dangerous to humans or other animals and has not been known to bite or sting.
What Do Spotted Lanternflies Do:
Our team at Mosquito Squad wants to help you eliminate these invasive insects and protect your thriving plant life.
Call us at (256) 907-8493 to determine how we can support you in controlling SLF if they’ve taken up residence in your yard.
When Do Spotted Lanternfly Eggs Hatch?
SLF lay up to 30-50 eggs in fall, and the first nymphs start to hatch between May and June. The best time to identify and eliminate the egg masses is in winter and early spring. You can find the eggs on tree trunks and branches. The egg masses may look like white or gray patches on tree bark.
When you find SLF’s egg masses, take a card you don’t mind getting dirty and press down on the eggs, scraping back and forth along the surface of the tree.
You’ll hear a soft popping sound and see liquid secretions, meaning you’re completely killing the nymphs for next year.
Press hard with your card to get all of the nymph egg masses; otherwise, they could still be viable and reach maturity.
Pour 1/3 cup of Isopropyl Alcohol into a freezer or sandwich bag, or container.
Taking your card—and making sure your bag of rubbing alcohol is open—scrape the egg mass off the tree’s trunk into the bag.
Swish the bag around, ensuring the egg mass is submerged in the alcohol, immediately killing any growing nymphs.
Discard the bag by placing it in a larger disposal bag and throwing it in the trash.
Note that while mashing the egg masses with a card to kill growing nymphs works well, rubbing alcohol is the most effective method for getting rid of SLF.
To identify these flying insects, it’s essential to understand their growth cycle. SLF go through four growth stages, and in the first three stages, they are unable to fly.
What Does a Spotted Lanternfly Look Like?
Young nymphs in the second and third stages of growth are black with bright white spots.
In the fourth growth stage, right before adulthood, they are vibrant red with black and white spots.
Adults have distinct gray wings with black spots on them.
Unfortunately, no. These flying insects are widespread and invading many parts of the country. While you can’t keep them permanently out of your yard, you can remove them from your outdoor space. The best way to eliminate these pests is to kill them at the source. If you see an egg mass, make sure to use rubbing alcohol to destroy it immediately.
Researchers are still working to identify which trees and plant life SLF are most attracted to. However, according to Penn State researchers, these insects have only been seen on sapling trees, sumac, grapevines, and tree-of-heaven. There is no evidence that ornamental trees, such as Fir Christmas trees, have been affected by SLF.
Even though SLF numbers are steadily rising, mosquito and tick control professionals like Mosquito Squad are using everything in our arsenal to help you take back your outdoor space. With our EPA registered products, we can support your home and ensure SLF isn’t an issue for you and your family any longer.
If you are not fully satisfied with your service, contact your Mosquito Squad office and we will make it right!
Our Guarantee"Tavarez is excellent. He keeps us updated on his arrival and explains the treatment fully. Would recommend him highly."
"Our two technicians worked late today (Saturday) to get our scheduled treatment completed. Did an excellent and thorough job, even after a long day. Very pleasant and professional. Many thanks for a great service."
"As always mosquito squad does an excellent job for me. I have had them for so many years and if I had to get rid of any service it would be anything but mosquito squad. The young men that come are always polite and professional."
"Quick response and quality work/spraying as always! Than you!"
"Our technician did an amazing job!! We ask for extra care for our pets and they deliver! We have been mosquito free since we started with Mosquito Squad. We had a couple day delay due to weather & started getting bit but they worked us back in very quickly without even having to call."
"Was skeptical until we tried it, and it LEGIT works. Went from tons of mosquitoes to none. I'm really amazed and impressed, but most of all I am just thankful to not have any mosquitoes bothering us anymore!"
"Jonathan Wooten does an awesome job!!!"
"Came on a Saturday morning, after receiving a notification text. It was our usual technician who I have missed the last couple of times our yard was serviced. He did his usual thorough treatment, including spraying behind our back fence, where water accumulates in a draining ditch after a rain. He was his usual personable self, and I am glad to have him take care of our home! I trust him 100%!"
"We are so enjoying our outdoor space this year! We enjoyed it last year, but I am a mosquito magnet and so I would pay for it with bikes. This year, I’ve had so many fewer insect bites and it’s been so lovely to really use and enjoy our outdoor space!"
