Sasha CampbellIn recent years, spotted lanternflies have spread across various agricultural and industrial sectors in the United States. Infestations began to be a problem in Pennsylvania in 2014 [1].
These colorful insects are so attractive that you may mistake them for small butterflies or moths. However, they are destructive planthoppers. As a result, learning how to get rid of them is crucial.
Spotted lanternflies feed on the sap of many plants and crops, including fruit trees, vegetables, flowers, and hardwoods.
Additionally, they leave behind a trail of honeydew, which can attract even more pests. The sticky liquid can also cause staining.
In some areas, spotted lanternflies (SLF) are controlled organically by predators, such as birds that prey on them. Other organic control methods are also becoming popular today.
Here’s how to get rid of lanternflies naturally:
1. Scrape Off the Eggs
The female spotted lanternfly begins egg-laying in September.
During this time, females lay 30 to 50 eggs [2]. These eggs will survive the winter unless they are destroyed.
They look like tan or gray, muddy masses. You can find them on bark, plant stems, garden furniture, walls, cement, and other hard surfaces.
To get rid of spotted lanternfly eggs, use a scraper or any other flat-edged tool to scrape them off.
You can then place them in a bag and dispose of the bag, preferably by burning it.
2. Insecticidal Soap
You can spray insecticidal soap directly on adult lanternflies or on nymphs, which are the baby stage.
Misting this solution on plants, shrubs, and trees helps kill adult lanternflies that it catches.
Alternatively, mix insecticidal soap with apple cider vinegar in a mason jar and hang it on or near infested trees or plants. This will help attract, catch, and kill the pests.
3. Sticky Tape
Sticky traps or tapes for catching lanternflies can be purchased from stores. Hang them from infested tree branches.
You can also hang thin strips of duct tape or attach them to trees for added support.
4. Vacuum Them
Another easy and inexpensive natural way of ridding the garden or house of these unwanted insects is to vacuum them up and dispose of them.
As with other methods, dispose of the dead or dying insects without opening the bag, preferably by burning.
Sweep up any dead insects remaining without crushing them. Drop survivors into a soapy solution to avoid staining and mold-forming sticky residue.
5. Control the Tree of Heaven
The main tree that spotted lanternflies are attracted to is the tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima) [3].
Trimming or removing these trees can help with current issues. It also reduces the risk of future infestations.
Burning the branches after cutting and spraying stump treatment around the remaining tree base is wise.
6. Vinegar
Vinegar kills spotted lanternflies on contact.
You can dilute apple cider or white household vinegar to make a spray. However, undiluted vinegar is more effective when sprayed directly on nymphs and adults.
Dispose of dead pests carefully to avoid retaining the sticky honeydew, which can turn into black mold.
7. Soap and Water
A homemade lantern fly spray, consisting of liquid soap and water, is another simple way to control lantern flies. Dawn dish soap works fine; however, we use organic soap in all our recipes.
Combine equal parts of liquid soap and water in a spray bottle. Use it to spray SLF. The soapy water will suffocate and kill them.
8. Neem Oil
Neem oil is a natural pesticide that you can use against lanternflies.
Neem oil doesn’t instantly kill spotted lanternfly nymphs or adults. Instead, it slowly disrupts their ability to feed. They will be unable to feed, though, and eventually die.
Many commercially available products contain neem oil that can be used as a spray right away. Alternatively, you can make a DIY solution.
A simple homemade spotted lanternfly spray recipe consists of four teaspoons of neem oil, two teaspoons of liquid soap, and a gallon of water. Spray the critters directly.
9. Essential Oils
You can use various essential oils to deal with an infestation.
You can use lavender, peppermint, cinnamon, and tea tree oil to spray lanternflies. These oils will kill them naturally.
10. Sticky Wraps
Trap these pests as they climb up trees. You can also control nymphs as they journey to foliage by banding trees with sticky wrap.
These wraps have received some negative press due to their potential harm to butterflies and birds. However, covering them with chicken wire minimizes these dangers.
Successful banding stops lanternflies from feeding and mating. This disrupts their life cycle.
You can purchase sticky bands at your local gardening store.
11. Diatomaceous Earth
Diatomaceous earth kills many bugs and insects by dehydrating them. When the pests come into contact with it, it slowly dries them out.
Therefore, make a spray by combining four tablespoons of DE with a gallon of water. Shake well and use it to spray lanternflies.
You can purchase high-quality DE online or at most garden stores.
12. DIY Circle Trap
Create a homemade lanternfly trap using netting, a funnel, and a plastic bag. You can use the top of a plastic milk jug as the funnel.
Wrap the netting around the tree and secure it with staples. Next, attach the funnel to one end of the netting.
The nymphs will then crawl up the other end of the net and into the funnel, which leads to the plastic bag.
This DIY method is often referred to as an SLF circle trap. This video demonstrates a more professional approach.
13. Milkweed Bait
Milkweed is a wildflower that attracts spotted lanternflies. The insects then feed on the sap, which later poisons and kills them [4].
Those that don’t die immediately will move slowly. As a result, the lanternflies will be left vulnerable to predators, or you can pick them off and crush them.
Takeaway
There are many natural ways to address the problem of harmful pests. The above are some of the best remedies for the organic control of spotted lanternfly nymphs and adults.
Thank you! Very helpful