How to Get Rid of
Spotted Lanternflies in Your Yard
Safely and Effectively
Last year, Spotted Lanternfly populations surged across Loudoun County, disrupting outdoor activities and leaving behind sticky honeydew that turns into black, sooty mold on patios, furniture, and plants. A major reason for this spike is their strong preference for the Tree of Heaven, where they reproduce at rates up to seven times higher than on other trees. In response, volunteer teams across the County have been using various techniques including hack and squirt and cut stump to treat and remove the Tree of Heaven. This will help reduce populations over time, but in the short term, lanternflies will shift to other trees like maples.
Avoid sprays and sticky bands.
It may be tempting, but please do not spray pesticides or use sticky tape traps. These methods harm/kill birds, bats, and pollinators far more than they help control lanternflies.
So what can you do?
Circle traps, on the other hand, are designed to take advantage of the lanternfly’s natural behavior of climbing upward. A mesh “skirt” wraps around the tree trunk and funnels the insects into a collection container at the top.
The circle traps shown were photographed on a maple tree and show hundreds, even thousands, of nymphs captured on a single tree, with no observed harm to other insects or wildlife.
A 4 pack of this model of trap can be purchased online for about $20, making them an easy and affordable option. If you prefer a DIY approach, Penn State University provides step by step instructions for building your own using common materials.
See one? Squash it.
Of course the other option, although much more time consuming and sometimes tricky (they’re fast!), is that if you spot a lanternfly, stepping on it helps reduce the population.
Bottom Line
Circle traps are one of the most effective ways to get ahead of this year’s lanternfly population while protecting birds, pollinators, and other beneficial species. They are cost effective, easy to install, and the results are fairly instantaneous. Combined with ongoing community efforts like Tree of Heaven removal, they can make a meaningful difference in your yard this season.