If you see it, kill it. Stomp or hit them with whatever you have lying around.
This is one of the first ways to kill a spotted lanternfly. But make no mistake, these bugs are able to avoid being trampled thanks to the eyes on the side of their head.
The first New York infestation was spotted on Staten Island in August 2020.
“What to do when you find a spotted lanternfly” has been a popular search term in New York in recent days as more and more people see the flying insects, some for the first time. And New Jersey has seen increased numbers of lanternflies in recent weeks.
Here are some tips from Montgomery Township in Somerset County for controlling lanternflies:
You can fill a spray bottle with vinegar and the liquid will kill the flies on contact. Diluting the vinegar is always an option, but it’s more effective in its raw form. It can be sprayed directly on nymphs and adult flies. Be careful of the weeds you are spraying the vinegar on, as they can damage the plant underneath.
An inexpensive way to get rid of the insects is to vacuum up and discard the nymphs.
Dish soap brands like Dawn are working to kill lanternflies. Combine 1/4 cup of liquid soap with 1 quart of water and 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a spray bottle. The soapy water will suffocate the bugs.
Spurge attracts spotted lanternflies. After they feed on the sap, he poisons them. Those who live to tell the story will be slightly slower, making them easier to kill.
And if you fancy a little competition, there’s an app called Squishr that allows users to record the date, time, and location of lanternfly sightings. The app not only strives to end the lantern fly but makes squeezing fun.
