Westchester Parks Dealing With Spotted Lanternflies

WHITE PLAINS, NY — For some time now, New Yorkers have been urged to be aware of and take measures to eradicate the spotted lanternfly.

The invasive species has been found in Westchester County, and the county’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Conservation said it’s been taking steps to reduce this problem from the public’s parks and recreational areas.

Spotted lanternflies are a sap-sucking, threatening invasive species that can cause significant damage to parks and wooded areas, a spokesperson said, making them vulnerable to disease and attacks from other insects.

They are identified by their black- or red-spotted nymphs as juveniles and look more moth-like with white wings as adults.

If found, experts said, it is best to kill them.

Westchester County Executive George Latimer said that the inset has become a nuisance — and a potential threat — in the county.

“The steps and suggestions recommended by the Department of Parks, Recreation and Conservation should be taken seriously,” he said, “and I urge the community to come together to help reduce this initiative.”

County park department personnel have surveyed large outbreaks and is evaluating the best non-toxic sprays to use to get rid of them.

Most recently, the department has acquired high-powered commercial vacuums that are used to suck up large congregations of spotted lanternflies found in the parks.

In addition to the vacuums, the parks department previously partnered with the New York-New Jersey Jersey Trail Conference’s Conservation Dogs, which are trained to sniff out the eggs in order to detect the next wave of invading insects before they become more of a problem.

Ways for homeowners to kill them include power washers and vacuum cleaners, because squashing them doesn’t always work since the insects are quick.

Sightings of the spotted lanternflies should be reported by email to the Department of Parks, Recreation and Conservation, including location, contact information and photos.

SEE ALSO:

• Seen A Spotted Lanternfly In The Hudson Valley? Kill It!
• Spotted Lanternfly: What To Do If You See One In New York