BERN TWP., Pa. – They’re hard to miss this time of year. Spotted lanternflies are once again popping up across our area, posing a threat to local agriculture.
69 News Reporter Sydney Kay was in Berks County with what experts are saying about these invasive insects.
Piper Sherburne, with the Berks County Conservation District, said the spotted lanternfly, a leaf hopper from Asia, first appeared in Berks County in 2014.
The district encourages everyone to use control measures on the insects. While the population in our area isn’t as high as it was years ago, but some parts of the state are seeing a big population of the spotted lanternflies, since those areas are seeing the insect for the first time.
The population in our area is now more under control, thanks to residents using control methods to keep the population down.
At this time of year, spotted lanternflies are mating and laying eggs.
Dean Druckenmiller, District Executive with the Berks County Conservation District, said control methods include a circle trap, which you put around a tree. The spotted lanternfly will climb up the tree and into the netting, he said.
The insect gets trapped in a little bag attached to the trap, Druckenmiller said.
Druckenmiller said a circle trap is not as intrusive as a sticky band material. He said sticky bands are very effective, but they also catch other animals by mistake. The district advises people to be careful when using sticky bands.
Sherburne said spotted lanternflies are an invasive species, and have caused billions of dollars in damages to resources, agriculture, and forestry.
She said killing a spotted lanternfly is also preventing 30 to 40 others from possibly being hatched later.