Bernards Twp., Watch Out For Spotted Lanternfly Egg Masses

BERNARDS TOWNSHIP, NJ — The Bernards Township Environmental Commission wants people to watch out for spotted lanternfly egg masses. Spotted lanternflies can cause issues for trees, farmers and homeowners, according to the commission.

The eggs hatch in April, so fall and winter are the best times to destroy egg masses, officials said. The best place to look is the undersides of tree branches, but eggs can also be found on:

• benches
• railings and fencing
• shutters, doors and windows
• kiddie pools
• stones
• outdoor grills
• tarps
• sandboxes
• firewood
• patio furniture
• plant containers
• trampolines
• cars
• basketball backboards
• propane and oil tanks
• playsets
• RVs
• trash cans

The environmental commission gave the following instructions to destroy them: add rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer to the inside of a zipper-sealed plastic bag. Then use a plastic card, like a credit card, or a putty or butter knife to scrape the egg mass into the bag.

Make sure to scrape the area completely. Seal up the bag and make sure the alcohol mixture comes in contact with the eggs. Then toss them in the trash.

The spotted lanternfly causes serious damage to trees, including oozing sap, wilting, leaf curling and tree dieback, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. When they feed, they excrete a sugary substance called honeydew, which encourages the growth of black sooty mold. The mold doesn't harm people, but it damages plants.

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture gave the following instructions for identifying spotted lanternflies:

"The Spotted Lanternfly adult is approximately 1" long and 1/2" wide at rest. The forewing is grey with black spots and the wings tips are reticulated black blocks outlined in grey. The hind wings have contrasting patches of red and black with a white band. The legs and head are black; the abdomen is yellow with broad black bands. Immature stages are black with white spots, and develop red patches as they grow."

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