Spotted Lanternfly Management in Lancaster & Harrisburg, PA - Tomlinson Bomberger

Spotted Lanternfly Treatment in Lancaster, Harrisburg, & Surrounding Areas

What To Do About These Invasive Insects

Spotted Lanternfly Management Program

The Spotted Lanternfly is an invasive insect first detected in 2014 in Berks County, PA. Since then, the pests have spread to 13 counties currently under quarantine. Lancaster County is included in the quarantine to prevent further infestation and damage to plant life. Our staff is here to assist you if you have a Spotted Lanternfly issue on your property.

Program Details

Tomlinson Bomberger offers a Spotted Lanternfly management program with a personalized recommendation tailored to each property. Our program’s foundation comes from the Penn State Extension offices’ recommendations. It includes an inspection of your property, removal of host Ailanthus plants, instruction on the use of sticky bands, and a program of population management treatments on target plants.

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Spotted Lanternfly Services & Information

The Spotted Lanternfly Invasion

The spotted lanternfly is an invasive insect species native to Southeast Asia. Its U.S. arrival began in 2014 and has spread to 13 counties in southeastern Pennsylvania, including Lancaster, Lebanon, and Chester. Possible egg sites include vehicles, campers, yard furniture, woodpiles, farm equipment, or other items you store outdoors.

Silver Maple Tree and Spotted Lanternflies

Do You Have Spotted Lanternfly on Your Property?

The most common tree affected is the Tree of Heaven. Other vulnerable trees include Red and Silver Maples, Birch, Sumac, Willow, and Walnut as the main targeted tree species. If you have any of these trees on your property, you’re at a higher risk for a full-scale infestation.

Evidence of Spotted Lanternfly
  • Black mold on bark and leaves is called “black sooty mold.”
  • Tree trunks (commonly) covered in egg masses on flat surfaces in a gray substance similar to putty.
  • Weeping sap wounds that you might see on tree trunks.
  • Black or red instars (young) or adult lanternflies feed on trees.

How To Manage the Spotted Lanternfly

  • Remove Ailanthus Trees (aka “Trees-of-Heaven”)

    If you have an ailanthus tree on your property, we recommend removing this tree to manage this pest.

  • Collect Egg Masses

    Scrape eggs masses into a bottle or sandwich bag containing rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer. By doing so, you will kill the eggs, so they do not hatch. Visit the Penn State Extension for more information.

  • Apply Sticky Bands to Trees

    Wrap tree trunks in a sticky material that attracts nymphs. Once stuck, the nymphs won’t feed and reach adulthood. If using sticky bands, we recommend adding a wildlife barrier over the bands such as mesh or screening to prevent harming wildlife.

  • Use Pesticides

    A combination of systemic and contact pesticides seems to be effective. Now, you can purchase products labeled for use on the Spotted Lanternfly.

Spotted Lanternfly Egg Masses
""Your pest control technician has been providing pest control services for us for 6 years. We sincerely appreciate the services he has provided, including the fact that he is always concerned that we are satisfied with the results. He is friendly, sincere, and a credit to your company. Having been in the services business during my career, I appreciate his attitude.""

Ed R.  |   Lancaster

""After having a very bad mosquito problem for a few years we hired Tomlinson Bomberger take care of the problem. Our kids were getting bitten even during the daytime! We saw a huge improvement which enabled us to enjoy the outdoor space that we love.""

Michael S.  |   Lancaster

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