NEW JERSEY — Those pesky spotted lanternflies are invading backyards in New Jersey despite residents efforts to eradicate them.
Recently, five more New Jersey counties were added to the NJ Department of Agriculture's existing spotted lanternfly quarantine zone including Essex, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, and Union.
To help stomp them out, Patch collaborated with Duke Farms environmental experts at the Hillsborough nature preserve to show readers how to make their own lanternfly trap. (See video below)
Abigail Schmid, an Environmental Educator at Duke Farms, created a DIY (Do It Yourself) video on how to make a spotted lanternfly circle trap for your own backyard.
To make the trap you will need the following materials:
These materials are just a standard size example, but individuals may need to cut a larger or smaller piece of screen to cover the circumference of their tree(s), said Schmid.
The 11-minute video takes readers step-by-step from start to finish on how to kill these destructive bugs.
"It's really important that we share this information about the spotted lanternfly, how to capture them and hopefully manage their population," said Schmid in the video.
The spotted lanternfly is an invasive species native to China, India and Vietnam. It was first discovered in the United States in Berks County, Pennsylvania, on a shipment and has since spread to eight other states, including New Jersey. Read More: Spotted Lanternflies Keep Spreading. NJ Wants You To Kill Them
The insect has the potential to "greatly impact" agricultural crops and trees, according to the New Jersey Department of Agriculture. The spotted lanternfly feeds on sap from more than 70 different plant species, leading to the plants' decreased health and potentially death.
Officials first detected New Jersey populations in 2019. As a result, the New Jersey Department of Agriculture issued a 13-county quarantine: Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, Hunterdon, Mercer, Salem, Somerset, and Warren. With Essex, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, and Union counties being added Monday. Read More: Spotted Lanternfly: 5 NJ Counties Added To Quarantine Zone
Although not under quarantine, seven other NJ counties have confirmed small spotted lanternfly populations including Atlantic, Bergen, Cumberland, Hudson, Ocean, Passaic, and Sussex.
"We are asking people to destroy the spotted lanternfly if possible when they see it," said spokesperson Jeff Wolfe. "Then go to www.badbug.nj.gov and click on the spotted lanternfly photo, and click on the Report A Sighting link and fill out the form. That is very helpful to us. The website also has links for resources for homeowners and business owners, which include treatment options."
Those in quarantined areas should inspect vehicles for spotted lanternflies and inspect outdoor items, such as packing bins, firewood, paving stones and lawn equipment for egg masses, according to the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station of Rutgers University.
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