State officials gathered in Washington County yesterday to discuss one of Pennsylvania’s most invasive pests and the quarantines surrounding it.
Department of Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding joined members from the Penn State Cooperative Extension and Washington County to discuss the spotted Lanternfly and how to limit the detrimental effects it poses to areas across the state.
In an effort to control the expansion of Lanterflies across the state, 45 counties, including Indiana County, were placed under a quarantine that aims to prohibit the movement of any spotted Lanternfly life stage. Stages include egg masses, nypmhs, and adults.
The quarantine also prohibits the movement of objects that Lanternflies may reside in.
Redding said that the state is developing a plan to allow businesses to continue operations while under quarantine.
Redding adds that residents can help control the spread of the spotted Lanternfly by trapping and squishing them. Trapping can be done by the use of a circle trap, which can easily be made with items around one’s home.
We have a link to those instructions, as well as a link on how to recognize a spotted Lanternfly below.
Be sure to tune in to Indiana in the Morning on WCCS 101.1 FM and AM 1160 tomorrow morning at 7:45 a.m. where Bob Pollock of the Indiana County Cooperative Extension will talk more about the spotted lanternfly.
Links:
Building a spotted Lanternfly Circle Trap
