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Spotted Lantern Fly Nymphs #758425

Asked June 25, 2021, 4:15 PM EDT

I live in West Center City. My home backs a parking lot on 11th St near Highmark Building. The parking lot has 3 huge Trees of Heaven. There are countless saplings between neighboring fences. We are completely infested. I spray soapy water on the ones in my yard. But it’s a drop in the bucket. Is there anything to help us from losing plants/trees in our Historic District neighborhood? Thank you.

New Castle County Delaware

Expert Response

Good morning!

We've put together this video resource on managing spotted lanternflies in your yard that I hope will be helpful. 

As far as the trees of heaven are concerned, it's possible that the lot owners are unaware of the issue. Feel free to point them towards our online resources, particularly the attached fact sheet about Spotted Lanternflies. There is a section dedicated to managing Tree of Heaven to mitigate lanternflies. 

Additionally, because New Castle County is in quarantine for SLF, you might also alert the Delaware Department of Agriculture about the trees. They can be reached via email at <personal data hidden>.

-- Katie Young University of Delaware Replied July 02, 2021, 9:50 AM EDT

Spotted lanternflies have not been demonstrated to kill trees or shrubs.  Grapevines can be killed by their feeding, but you have not mentioned them as a plant of concern.

An Ask Extension Expert Replied July 06, 2021, 4:03 PM EDT

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