What Attracts Spotted Lanternflies to Coastal Properties?

The Outer Banks is one of the best places to spend the warm weather seasons. But unfortunately, we’re not the only ones who think so. Spotted lanternflies, an invasive species from Asia, appear in this area and can be detrimental to native wildlife. 

Luckily, there’s a solution that works: spotted lanternfly control in the Outer Banks from Mosquito Squad Plus. Our trained technicians know exactly where to find these pests and how to treat them effectively. Let’s talk about how it works and what attracts these pests to coastal properties in the first place.

What Are Spotted Lanternflies Drawn To?

Interestingly enough, spotted lanternflies don’t necessarily seek out coastal properties because of a food source or ideal habitat. Instead, they hitchhike on cars, trailers, or wheel wells, and when people travel to the coast from heavily infested areas, the weaker fliers can be blown off by the wind onto dunes, boardwalks, or lakefront homes. 

Once they’re there, they’ll typically seek out cooler areas, often those with dense vegetation. They’re known to create their egg masses on trees, stone, and other flat (usually vertical) surfaces, often favoring the tree-of-heaven and native plants. 

What Kind of Damage Do They Cause?

At its core, the spotted lanternfly is an invasive species, which means it’s naturally going to outcompete other native pests and destroy native plants and wildlife one way or another. In this case, the spotted lanternfly is an invasive planthopper, and it damages plants and trees by feeding on them and leaving a sooty, sticky mold behind that promotes mold growth, ultimately destroying the wildlife it touches.

They often emerge in the spring and last well into the fall, during which time they’ll lay their egg masses. These masses look like grayish mud smears, and the thick covering allows them to survive the winter so they can hatch in the fall. If you see these masses while hiking or spending time outdoors, it’s important to scrape them off and submerge them in a solution of bleach-water or dish soap to completely destroy them. 

How Does Spotted Lanternfly Control Work?

While vigilance is important for all OBX homeowners, professional treatment is the best way to ensure your property remains protected and that these pests can’t continue to thrive. During your spotted lanternfly control, we’ll start by inspecting your yard for potential hotspots so we can put together a custom treatment plan. 

Often, this will mean treating trees-of-heaven and other trees that they 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 Lanternflies in OBX?

Tired of seeing spotted lanternflies in your OBX yard? We can help! We’re proud to help customers like you with transparent pricing and solid customer service, plus a 100% satisfaction guarantee that backs our expert work.

Spotted lanternflies turning up in Outer Banks? Call Mosquito Squad Plus of OBX at (252) 888-5015 or contact us online for a free quote.