t the bottom. Photo credit: PA Department of Agriculture
Tree-of-heaven (Ailanthus altissima) is an invasive plant, but it is common in landscape plantings and disturbed areas, such as along the sides of roads.This is the preferred host for SLF, and current management efforts are focused on removing this tree. Apply herbicide to the tree from July to September and wait at least 30 days before removing the tree. Failure to apply herbicide will result in new growth from the stump; even when treated, multiple applications may be necessary over time to completely kill the tree. These trees can get very tall, so seek the help of a tree care service if necessary. Tree-of-heaven is named because of its rapid growth; it can reach up to 100 feet tall and 6 feet in diameter. The bark of tree-of-heaven is similar to the outside of a cantaloupe. When crushed, the leaves put off a foul odor that many describe as rotten peanut butter. They spread by seed and will also produce “clones” by their roots. This tree can be mistaken for other native species, including black walnut, hickory, and staghorn sumac. For help identifying and treating this plant, visit the Penn State Extension spotted lanternfly website. While tree-of-heaven is a preferred host, SLF feeds on a large variety of plants, including many of the trees in your backyard. Removing these may not be preferred; refer to the next section for further guidance.
Only use insecticides that are registered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to treat any insect on your property. All EPA-registered insecticides have an EPA registration number and a label for appropriate and legal use. Home remedies should not be used against spotted lanternfly because they may be unsafe to humans, pets, and plants and could be illegal.
Insecticides can kill insect pests on contact and/or by being present systemically in a plant that the insect pests eat. The duration of control that remains after application (i.e., residual activity) varies depending on which type of insecticide is used. Contact insecticides kill SLF when the chemical contacts the insect as a direct spray or when the insect walks over a surface with insecticide residue on it. Systemic insecticides are absorbed by tree roots, bark, or leaves and are moved through its vascular system to other parts of the tree. When systemic insecticides are used, SLF is killed as it feeds on any part of the tree, even if it was not sprayed directly (e.g., spraying the lower part of the tree will protect the tree tops). Systemic insecticides work best when applied from July-September. However, systemics can also be applied at other times of year, depending on the application method. For example, a soil drench should be applied earlier in the summer.
There are four main methods to apply insecticides: tree injection (applied by professional applicators), bark sprays, soil drenches, and direct sprays (can be applied by homeowners). The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Agriculture are currently using the systemic insecticide dinotefuran as bark sprays on tree-of-heaven to kill SLF. Systemic insecticides can work well and have residual activity that lasts from several weeks to several months. Property owners should consider hiring a certified pesticide applicator to make insecticide applications. Professional applicators have specialized training and equipment to treat trees. Hiring a professional may reduce your risk of pesticide exposure and save time, but it may cost more than doing the application yourself.
||Mode of Exposure
||Activity Against SLF
||ornamental and landscape plants and trees
||Garden Tech Sevin Ready-to-Spray Bug Killer (note: new formulation is sold with zeta-cypermethrin)
||vegetable and ornamental plants and trees under 10 feet tall
||Safari 20SG, Transect 70 WSP, Zylam Liquid
||ornamental and landscape plants and trees
||Bayer Advanced 3 in 1 Insect Disease
Mite Control, Bonide Annual Tree &
Shrub Insect Control
|ornamental and landscape plants and trees
||Garden Safe Insecticidal Soap
||veget