Spotted lanternflies were first found in the United States only 10 years ago, and now these agricultural and garden pests are quickly swarming our area. They can destroy crops and mature trees when ignored, but don’t be alarmed if you see them in your garden. Here’s how to know if your trees are at risk:

Spotted lanternflies actually don’t eat anything, instead they suck on sugary sap. Although you may find them resting on annuals and perennials, that’s not typically what they cause damage to. These bugs have an appetite for trees, especially fruits and vines like grapes. Fig trees seem to also be a favorite along with maples, pines, and peaches. Their favorite tree is an invasive weed called Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima). Most spotted lanternfly swarms happen in yards where the Tree of Heaven is nearby.

Spotted lanternflies don’t have the mouthparts to put holes in your plant’s leaves, so they are not the culprit for foliage damage. These sap suckers will leave a sticky residue behind their damage, which can eventually wilt leaves on your tree - even when it’s not dry.

The sap also invites mold and fungal issues and will block the leaves from producing photosynthesis. Spotted lanternflies are not usually a death sentence for your trees, but heavy infestations can reduce crop yield and overtime invite other pathogens like fungus to kill even mature trees and vines.

Feel free to squish away when you see one! It won’t do much to reduce their populations, but every bit helps. You can spray a diluted mixture of vinegar directly onto the bugs, but be careful with this around leaves and sensitive plants. Vinegar is very acidic and can burn your plants. Insecticidal soap is a safer alternative for your landscaping.

Some arborists have had luck using alternative methods like taping trees to catch them and using dormant oils to destroy eggs. Adult lanternflies do not survive the winter so scraping their eggs off of trees in the late autumn or winter will kill off that brood.

Experts are noticing that these bugs do not swarm the same neighborhoods every year. Although the bugs are spreading and may never be fully eradicated, their numbers could balance out in the years to come.