The Spotted Lanternfly (SLF) is a serious insect pest that has spread throughout Pennsylvania since its discovery in Hereford, Berks County, in 2014.

SLF has a healthy appetite for plants. It’s a significant nuisance, affecting the quality of life and enjoyment of the outdoors.

If not contained, SLF potentially could drain Pennsylvania’s economy of at least $324 million annually and wipe out 2,800 jobs, according to a study by economists at The Pennsylvania State University.

SLF is now invading people’s backyards and crawling on homes, cars and decks.

The SLF uses its piercing-sucking mouthparts to feed on sap from more than 70 different plant species, including grapevines, maples, black walnut, and important plants in Pennsylvania. The feeding damage significantly stresses the plants, which can lead to decreased health and death.

As the SLF feeds, the insect excretes honeydew (a sugary substance), which attracts bees, wasps and other insects. The honeydew also builds up and promotes the growth for sooty mold (fungi), which can cover the plant, forest understories, patio furniture, cars and anything else found below an area of SLF feeding.

When insect pests invade your garden or landscape, Penn State Extension cautions against the use of home remedies that often include household items such as dish soap, vinegar, salt, boric acid, vegetable oil, and cayenne peppers.

These suggestions, often found on the internet, may have the potential to harm humans, pets and plants, do not come with precise directions, may not be effective, and their use may violate federal law. These home remedies have not been tested against SLF

Registered pesticides are approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and must go through extensive testing to scientifically support that the product does what it claims and is safe when used according to label directions. These products have a detailed label that include how to apply it, what it can be used on, and what precautions must be taken (wearing glove or goggles, do not use near water sources, etc.).

The label includes basic first-aid information if needed, and how to store and dispose of the product. Reading the label is of utmost importance in using pesticides safely.

Because home remedies use products that may already be in your home, some assume they are safer. For example, a common home remedy uses dish detergent or antibacterial soap mixed with other products to control insects on plants.

The products may include additives that could harm the environment, including additives for the following purposes: surfactant, solvent pH adjuster, cleaning enhancer, viscosity (thickness) adjuster, preservative, colorant, fragrance, product stabilizer, antibacterial agent and foaming agent.

The dish detergent label does not provide directions on how to use it on plants to control insects, and whether it might harm beneficial insects (such as ladybugs) or the environment. Spraying home remedies that contain dish detergent on plants on a sunny day can injure the plants by burning the leaves.

SLF nymphs and adults are fairly easy to kill with insecticides. There are many things to consider before deciding to use an insecticide to kill SLF on landscape trees or shrubs.

You should take into account the number of SLF present, if they are on a preferred host plant where they are likely to remain or if they are on a plant they will move away from after a shorter visit, the size and health of the plant, the presence or absence of preferred host plants in the landscape, and the life stage of SLF.

Penn State recommends using an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach, first taking the number of SLF present into account and then using cultural, mechanical, biorational, and as a last resort chemical management to achieve the desired level of control.

If you decide to use a chemical (an insecticide), use the least toxic but effective option. Use only EPA registered insecticides approved for the site. This is required by Pennsylvania pesticide laws.

When researching information to find out the best way to manage pests in your home or garden, go to reputable sources such as Penn State Extension’s Spotted Lanternfly website:

https://extension.psu.edu/spotted-lanternfly.

At this website you can find information about identifying SLF, locating the quarantine area, and managing SLF. Methods to control SLF that do not involve the use of chemicals include tree banding and host removal.

When infestations are severe, the use of an insecticide may be needed, and several options are provided on the website, including organic products.

“Growing Green” is contributed by Lehigh County Extension Office Staff and Master Gardeners. Information: Lehigh County Extension Office, 610-391-9840; Northampton County Extension Office, 610-813-6613.