Should You Be Worried About The Spotted Lanternfly This Winter?

We are sure you are all tired of stomping around on the invasive Spotted Lanternfly. But everyone is just trying to do their part to keep these pests from destroying everything in sight!

These pests have really been giving us a hard time all year long. But, now that the cooler weather is here we should get a break, right?

Unfortunately, even though the adults may not survive the winter they have left their egg masses behind and they can. 

So, what can you do to get rid of the egg masses while the adults are away? We’ve got all the information to battle them so you have less to worry about once spring comes around!  

What do Spotted Lanternflies Do?

If you aren’t very familiar with the spotted lanternfly, we will fill you in on this invasive species that has been wreaking havoc on the eastern coast. They aren’t native to our country, but they have been making themselves quite known around our area. 

They are about 1 inch long and a ½ inch wide. They have spotted brown and red wings. They are known for their hitchhiking skills, which is what has allowed them to spread to our country, and all over the coast. 

When they make their way around our area they damage our local crops like hops, apples, and peaches. And, they can also feed on plants and trees in residential areas as well. Their favorite tree is the tree-of-heaven, but they also love oak, maple, willow, and other varieties. 

And once they feast on the plants in the area, they secrete a honey-smelling dew that they leave everywhere. And let’s just say it isn’t fun to clean up. And it can also attract other nuisance insects. 

Do They Survive The Winter? 

Luckily, adult Spotted Lanternflies can’t survive the cold temperatures that we experience in our area. However, the egg masses that they leave behind can. And that means that the cycle will just begin again in the spring.

But, how exactly can their egg masses survive the winter? Well Spotted lanternflies, like many other insects, overwinter in their egg cases. This process is called diapause, and it’s a delay or interruption in growth that allows some insects to be dormant during the winter. 

A spotted lanternfly’s egg mass will look like splotches of mud or unevenly spread mortar. And you can find them on trees, cement, rocks, and other hard surfaces. If you do find them, the best thing for you to do is to scrape them off and put them in a bag or container with hand sanitizer or rubbing alcohol permanently. 

By checking your property for egg masses throughout the winter, you can likely reduce the number of spotted lanternflies you see during the springtime. And, the amount of stomping you will have to do as well. Scrape now, less stomping later. 

Be Prepared For The Spring

Once the weather warms up, the flies will start to emerge once again. And there are bound to be some that you missed during your efforts to prevent their emergence. They could be in higher areas of trees, in harder-to-reach places, and there may be too many to take care of. 

Since they are great hitchhikers they could be hiding underneath your car waiting to make their way into an area they aren’t supposed to be in. Maybe an area that has been under quarantine for these pests. 

That’s right, certain areas are under quarantine to keep the spread of this pest from spreading even further. To do this, the Department of Agriculture wants you to check objects for the pest and their egg masses before moving them as well as your vehicles. 

To help keep the spread under control, when the spotted lanternfly is active, you are supposed to get rid of any flies that you find and report them as well to the Department of Agriculture in your area. Knowing where they are can help greatly. 

Call us for Help

While the spotted lanternfly might not be completely wiped out during the winter, you can at least be glad that they aren’t causing any significant damage during this time. 

And, you can make a big impact by finding and scraping off any egg masses that you find around your area. With everyone doing their part, it can make a huge difference.

If you have any questions about the spotted lanternfly or any other pest, Kapture is always here to help We always offer free phone consultations to answer any questions that you may have.