If you find a spotted lanternfly, it is important to take action to prevent the spread of this invasive species. Here are some steps you can take:
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Do not move any potentially infested material: If you think you may have found a spotted lanternfly in Connecticut, do not attempt to move any wood or other potentially infested material from the site.
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Report it: If you find a spotted lanternfly outside of a quarantine area, take a picture of it and note the location to report it to your State Department of Agriculture before killing it.
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Kill it: You can kill spotted lanternflies mechanically, by swatting or crushing them. However, when you threaten them, they are able to quickly jump far away from you, so mechanical control is not easy to achieve. In some infested properties, there are thousands of spotted lanternflies and many of them are very high up in trees. It will be difficult to reach the insects with a small can of spray or even a backpack sprayer. In this case, you might consider hiring a professional tree care service to do the application.
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Avoid spreading it: It is important for landowners in the affected area to avoid spreading the spotted lanternfly. One good practice is to avoid parking your vehicle under trees when the adults are present. Spotted lanternflies that are living in the trees can lay eggs on the cars that are under the tree. Females will lay eggs on many objects including lawn furniture, firewood, and outdoor equipment. Therefore, it is important to check these items before moving them.
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Scrape egg masses: Spotted lanternfly egg masses are about an inch long and resemble a smear of mud. If found in an area known to have an SLF population, residents should crush them and scrape them off.
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Manage SLF on your property: You can manage SLF on your property by promoting plant health, scraping eggs, using traps, and using chemical control when appropriate. Use a management decision guide to determine which actions are best to take.
By taking these steps, you can help prevent the spread of the spotted lanternfly and protect the environment, residential areas, and agricultural interests.
