Frequently Asked Questions About
Spotted Lantern Flies
What are Spotted Lantern Flies?
Spotted lantern flies are, as their name suggests, spotted flying insects with white upper wings and red lower ones. They’re native to China and were only recently imported into the United States. Even so, they’ve been able to spread throughout much of the eastern half of the country.
These insects can “fly” in a sense. However, they must crawl up the stems of the plants they infest in order to take off. Then, they can fly short distances. They can also use their powerful hind legs to jump, similarly to grasshoppers.
Spotted lantern fly control has been a hot topic in the news recently, in light of the explosive population boom this invasive species has experienced since it was first detected in the U.S. in 2014. Now, almost ten years later, the spotted lantern fly has currently found its way into a number of states, including right here in Middle Tennessee.
Are spotted lantern flies dangerous?
Spotted lantern flies in Tennessee are not dangerous to people, but they can be destructive to a wide variety of plants. Spotted lantern flies damage many crops, trees, shrubs, bushes, and just about every other plant you can think of.
These flies not only damage crops by feeding on them, but they also excrete a sticky substance that leads to mold growth. By damaging plants, spotted lantern flies can spread bacterial and fungal diseases to them, as well.
Why do I have a spotted lantern fly problem?
Spotted lantern fly infestations can happen to anyone with any type of plant on their property, but these flies strongly prefer tree-of-heaven. These invasive trees are also from China, and they can grow like weeds all over the sunny areas of your yard.
Where will I find spotted lantern flies?
Spotted lantern flies like to hide out in the trees and plants they infest. They’re diurnal, so you’re most likely to find them around the trunks and stems of their host plants, where they cluster to shelter through the night.
They may also lay eggs on smooth surfaces like bricks and rocks. During the morning, you might see them crawling up the bases of plants toward their leaves or even flying back down to the ground.
We hope you’ve enjoyed this residential pest control FAQ and that our pest control products FAQ has informed you about our services. We’re the team to turn to for all your pest control needs, so contact us today to get started.
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How can I prevent spotted lantern flies in the future?
Spotted lantern fly treatments are easier to perform the earlier you catch the infestation. That’s why, if you see spotted lantern flies scurrying around your property, you should call the home pest control experts here at Midstate Termite & Pest Control as soon as possible. We can help you get these annoying and destructive pests off your property to protect your plants and the environment from this invasive species.
