Business, Free News Articles, Home and Garden

Time-Sensitive Treatments for Spotted Lanternfly Need to Be Scheduled Now in Early Fall

HUNTINGDON VALLEY, Pa. -- Adult Spotted Lanternfly are swarming area trees in a record-breaking year for the invasive insect. Not only do Spotted Lanternfly pose a risk to the health of trees and plants, they also cause some really gross problems for homeowners.

As the bugs feed on trees, they drip sour-smelling, sticky excrement called "honeydew." It coats everything underneath where the insects are feeding. The tacky honeydew is difficult to remove from hardscapes, decks, cars, and other valuable objects on the property.

What's even worse is that the tantalizing honeydew, along with the black, sooty mold that grows from it, attracts stinging wasps. Wasps will swarm a property, and that's especially a problem if there are children playing in the yard.

Treatments Need to be Carefully Timed

Spotted Lanternfly has only been in the US since 2014, but the insect has multiplied rapidly. To determine the best way to control this new invasive pest, researchers at Penn State and the PA Department of Agriculture recommend a control program that targets the pest during the Adult stage. This stage occurs between July and November.

The Adult stage is when Spotted Lanternfly is most vulnerable to treatment. By September through November, the Adults can be found everywhere on the host trees. 1-2 sprays are needed on the trunk, limbs and foliage. This spray kills the insect on contact and the residual kills any Spotted Lanternfly that walk over or feed on the tree for up to 30 days.

Like many Tree companies battling Spotted Lanternfly, Giroud Tree and Lawn is seeing a very high interest in the control program this year.

"We're confident that these treatments will do the job," says Rodney Stahl, Jr, Giroud's Plant Healthcare Manager. "The problem is that our schedule is filling up. Homeowners, who want to have their trees treated, need to get on a program now before it's too late."

Call an ISA Certified Arborist to evaluate the property for treating valuable trees and plants when the Spotted Lanternfly Adults emerge.

For more information, visit https://www.giroudtree.com/spotted-lanternfly/

About Giroud Tree and Lawn

Giroud Tree and Lawn specializes in tree service, lawn care and mosquito and tick control programs that make customers love doing business with the company since 1974. Serving Bucks, Montgomery and Philadelphia Counties, the company offers professional tree and lawn evaluation, tree pruning, tree removal, insect and disease control, fertilizing, stump removal, traditional and 100% organic lawn programs and mosquito and tick control. Giroud Arborists are certified by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) and have the knowledge and experience required to properly diagnose, treat and maintain trees and lawn health.

The company is Accredited by the Tree Care Industry Association and Better Business Bureau. The "Giroud Treework for Charity" program donates free tree care services to parks, historical sites and other non-profit organizations located in the Company's service area.

For more information, visit the company website at http://www.giroudtree.com or call 215-682-7704.

Related link: http://www.giroudtree.com

This news story was published by the Neotrope® News Network - all rights reserved.

Business, Free News Articles

Time-Sensitive Treatments for Spotted Lanternfly Need to Be Scheduled Now Before the Adults Emerge

HUNTINGDON VALLEY, Pa. -- Adult Spotted Lanternfly will be emerging a few short weeks, and it's expected to be a record-breaking year for the invasive insect, says Giroud Tree and Lawn. Not only do Spotted Lanternfly pose a risk to the health of trees and plants, they also cause some really gross problems for homeowners.

As the bugs feed on trees, they drip sour-smelling, sticky excrement called "honeydew." It coats everything underneath where the insects are feeding. The tacky honeydew is difficult to remove from hardscapes, decks, cars, and other valuable objects on the property.

What's even worse is that the tantalizing honeydew, along with the black, sooty mold that grows from it, attracts stinging wasps. Wasps will swarm a property, and that's especially a problem if there are children playing in the yard.

Treatments Need to be Carefully Timed

Spotted Lanternfly has only been in the US since 2014, but the insect has multiplied rapidly. To determine the best way to control this new invasive pest, researchers at Penn State and the PA Department of Agriculture recommend a control program that targets the pest during the Adult stage. This stage occurs between July and November.

The Adult stage is when Spotted Lanternfly is most vulnerable to treatment. Adults tend to stay in one place and attack favorite host trees, as opposed to the younger nymphs that quickly hop from plant to plant. As a result, there is much more success in killing the adults when trees are treated at carefully timed intervals.

The first treatment of the 2-part control plan recommended by Penn State should be done between July and September. This is a basal trunk spray that kills the pest on contact. It's also absorbed up through the tree's vascular system and kills the bugs as they feed on the tree. The treatment lasts for up to 60 days.

By September through November, the Adults can be found everywhere on the host trees. 1-2 additional sprays are needed on the trunk, limbs and foliage. This spray kills the insect on contact and the residual kills any Spotted Lanternfly that walk over or feed on the tree for up to 30 days.

Like many Tree companies battling Spotted Lanternfly, Giroud Tree and Lawn is seeing a very high interest in the control program this year.

"We're confident that these treatments will do the job," says Rodney Stahl, Jr, Giroud's Plant Healthcare Manager. "The problem is that our schedule is filling up. July is already booked and August is beginning to fill up. Soon, we'll have more requests for treatments than we can handle. Homeowners, who want to have their trees treated, need to get on a program now before it's too late."

Steps Homeowners Should Take Now
1. Check for nymphs now on trees, plants, flowers, and any surface in the yard. If these early stage insects are seen, that's a clear warning sign that the property is at risk once they turn into adults.
2. Use sticky bands wrapped in chicken wire to capture any nymphs walking up the tree trunk.
3. Call an ISA Certified Arborist to evaluate the property for treating valuable trees and plants when the Spotted Lanternfly Adults emerge.

For more information, visit https://www.giroudtree.com/spotted-lanternfly/

About Giroud Tree and Lawn

Giroud Tree and Lawn specializes in tree service, lawn care and mosquito and tick control programs that make customers love doing business with the company since 1974. Serving Bucks, Montgomery and Philadelphia Counties, the company offers professional tree and lawn evaluation, tree pruning, tree removal, insect and disease control, fertilizing, stump removal, traditional and 100% organic lawn programs and mosquito and tick control. Giroud Arborists are certified by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) and have the knowledge and experience required to properly diagnose, treat and maintain trees and lawn health. The company is Accredited by the Tree Care Industry Association and Better Business Bureau. The "Giroud Treework for Charity" program donates free tree care services to parks, historical sites and other non-profit organizations located in the Company's service area.

For more information, visit the company website at http://www.giroudtree.com or call 215-682-7704.

Related link: http://www.giroudtree.com

This news story was published by the Neotrope® News Network - all rights reserved.

Business, Free News Articles, General Editorial, Home and Garden

How to Combat the Spotted Lanternfly Now in the Nymph Stage

HUNTINGDON VALLEY, Pa. -- The Spotted Lanternfly is a destructive insect that has invaded the Philadelphia area. All winter long, their eggs lay waiting for the warm weather, carefully encased in a protective, hardened layer of secretion. Now that they've emerge as nymphs, it's time to take action!

How to Identify Spotted Lanternfly Nymphs

Spotted Lanternfly goes through several identities during its life cycle. Adult females lay eggs in the fall, and they cover the egg masses in a secretion. This secretion dries hard and camouflages to look like dirt or clay. The young nymphs that emerge from the eggs in spring are black with white spots. In early summer, they gain red markings on their bodies. Later in midsummer, they become adults and shed their skin to form wings on their backs.

How to Get Rid of Spotted Lanternfly Nymphs

The experts at Giroud Tree and Lawn have been working closely with Penn State University's Department of Entomology and Cooperative Extension to determine the best treatments and techniques for combating Spotted Lanternfly in each of the life cycle stages. Chemical spray treatments are only recommended if there are high populations of nymphs on a specific plant or tree.

Chemical Control Treatments During the Nymph Stages

Research shows that the best time to control Spotted Lanterfly is at the adult stage. However, there is an exception. Nymph control may be warranted if the population is high enough to cause feeding damage (wilting stems). Or, if Nymphs are focusing heavily on individual plants. In these cases, homeowners should have an ISA Certified Arborist evaluate the situation and determine if targeted treatment is required.

Control of Spotted Lanternfly Nymphs is usually not warranted because nymphs love to move around. The young insects don't stay on a single plant for long. To reach all the plants that might attract nymphs, the entire yard would have to be treated with a long, residual contact spray insecticide. Even with these treatments, nymphs can still invade from other locations!

Also, although insecticide will kill Nymphs, it can also kill beneficial insects and pollinators, such as bees and butterflies. The insect experts at Giroud prefer to use these types of sprays for targeted control, not broad scale treatments.

What's the Solution for Controlling Spotted Lanterfly Nymphs?

Ultimately, the best way to combat Spotted Lanternfly during the Nymph Stage is with manual methods. Sticky bands, Circle Traps, and good old fashioned squishing are key to getting ahead of these awful insects before they reach adulthood.

Sticky bands can be found at most hardware stores and also on Amazon.com. They are easy to install, but they should be changed weekly for the best results. However, it is important to be aware that these sticky bands can accidentally trap other insects and also small animals and birds. To avoid this problem, Penn State recommends cutting the sticky bands lengthwise so the surface area is not as broad. Spotted Lanternfly Nymphs are small and climb up the tree. They will get trapped at the bottom of the sticky band, so there is no need to have such a tall band. Penn State also urges homeowners to wrap the outside of the tree with chicken wire over the area of the sticky band. This will prevent squirrels, birds, and other small animals from becoming stuck to the band.

If homeowners are concerned about trapping small animals and other wildlife in sticky bands, Penn State offers an alternative solution:

"Recent research has shown that an entirely different kind of type of trap is also very effective and can dramatically reduce the chances of capturing other creatures. This new style trap is made of plastic-coated insect screening and does not use any sticky material at all. It is basically a tunnel that SLFs walk into. When they move upward in the trap, they end up in a dead-end collection container where they die." -extension.psu.edu

Nymphs Are a Warning Sign to Take Action

Equally important, recognize that the Nymphs are an early warning sign to get prepared for the swarms. By July or August, the Nymphs will turn into Adults. That's when the real trouble begins. It's also the time when control is most effective. Adults don't move around as much and tend to attack specific trees. As a result, an ISA Certified Arborist can target the high risk trees and protect them from Spotted Lanternfly.

Researchers are anticipating a major infestation of Spotted Lanternfly this season. Once the adults begin to swarm, the demand for treatment will surge so homeowners should have the arborist evaluate the entire property for problem areas as soon as possible.

For more information, visit https://www.giroudtree.com/spotted-lanternfly/

About Giroud Tree and Lawn

Giroud Tree and Lawn specializes in tree service, lawn care and mosquito and tick control programs that make customers love doing business with the company since 1974. Serving Bucks, Montgomery and Philadelphia Counties, the company offers professional tree and lawn evaluation, tree pruning, tree removal, insect and disease control, fertilizing, stump removal, traditional and 100% organic lawn programs and mosquito and tick control. Giroud Arborists are certified by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) and have the knowledge and experience required to properly diagnose, treat and maintain trees and lawn health. The company is Accredited by the Tree Care Industry Association and Better Business Bureau. The "Giroud Treework for Charity" program donates free tree care services to parks, historical sites and other non-profit organizations located in the Company's service area. For more information, visit the company website at http://www.giroudtree.com or call 215-682-7704.

Related link: http://www.giroudtree.com

This news story was published by the Neotrope® News Network - all rights reserved.

Business, Free News Articles, Home and Garden

Kids Staying Home From School can Keep Busy with a Spotted Lanternfly Egg Hunt in the Yard

HUNTINGDON VALLEY, Pa. -- Spotted Lanternfly are beautiful but destructive insects that have invaded Pennsylvania. The good news is kids can help get rid of Spotted Lanternfly! The experts at Giroud Tree and Lawn share why these are bad bugs, and what kids need to know to go on a Spotted Lanternfly Egg Hunt!

What Is Spotted Lanternfly?

Spotted Lanternfly is a dangerous, invasive pest. Invasive means this insect is from another country and it has invaded the United States. Spotted Lanternfly came from Asia to the United Sates a few years ago. They've been multiplying and spreading all over the country! If Americans don't stop them from spreading, they can cause big problems.

Why Is Spotted Lanternfly Bad?

Spotted Lanternfly are a problem in many ways because they:
* destroy grapes, apples, and other important crops that are grown by farmers in America.
* damage trees when they feed from them.
* make a sticky mess when they are eating, dripping something called "honeydew" down on to anything underneath them.
* attract stinging bees who love to eat the honeydew they drip!

What do Spotted Lanternfly Look Like?

The Spotted Lanternfly go through 4 different life cycles.

1. Nymphs, black with white dots - the insects hatch from their eggs in May.

2. Nymphs, red with white dots and black marks- you can sometimes see little black nymphs and bigger red nymphs at the same time

3. Adults - In July, the insects get wings! The underside of their wings looks a lot more colorful than the top, so it's important to know what the wings look like on both sides!

4. Egg Masses - Starting in late September, the females will lay their eggs and cover them with a protective substance that hardens to look like clay. These egg masses will stay there all winter long until the next generation of nymphs hatches the following May.

How Kids Can Help Stop the Spread of Spotted Lanternfly

Spotted Lanternfly can lay their eggs anywhere, even underneath a slide!

Now is the perfect time to go on Spotted Lanternfly Egg Hunt! Kids can outside and check all the trees in the front and backyard. If kids find anything that looks like an egg mass, scrape it off with a stick or a card and destroy them by dropping them in a baggy with hand sanitizer or rubbing alcohol.

After kids have checked all the trees on the property, it's time to look for Spotted Egg Masses in other places. The adult females lay eggs pretty much anywhere! They usually lay them in places where the eggs will be out of sight from hungry predator bugs. Look on the underside of outdoor tables and chairs, railings, playhouses, swing sets and slides.

Kids can even make these Spotted Lanternfly egg hunts a part of the Easter celebrations. Just for fun, kids can check out this cool video of a Spotted Lanternfly in a battle with a Praying Mantis! Who will win? https://youtu.be/mfwuhTBr4UQ

For more information about Spotted Lanternfly, please check out https://www.giroudtree.com/spotted-lanternfly/

For more information, visit the company website at http://www.giroudtree.com or call 215-682-7704.

VIDEO (YouTube):
https://youtu.be/mfwuhTBr4UQ

About Giroud Tree and Lawn

Giroud Tree and Lawn specializes in tree service, lawn care and mosquito and tick control programs that make customers love doing business with the company since 1974. Serving Bucks, Montgomery and Philadelphia Counties, the company offers professional tree and lawn evaluation, tree pruning, tree removal, insect and disease control, fertilizing, stump removal, traditional and 100% organic lawn programs and mosquito and tick control. Giroud Arborists are certified by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) and have the knowledge and experience required to properly diagnose, treat and maintain trees and lawn health.

The company is Accredited by the Tree Care Industry Association and Better Business Bureau. The "Giroud Treework for Charity" program donates free tree care services to parks, historical sites and other non-profit organizations located in the Company's service area. For more information, visit the company website at http://www.giroudtree.com or call 215-682-7704.

Related link: http://www.giroudtree.com

This news story was published by the Neotrope® News Network - all rights reserved.

Business, Free News Articles, Home and Garden, Real Estate

How to Check for Signs of Spotted Lanternfly Before Purchasing a Christmas Tree

HUNTINGDON VALLEY, Pa. -- Finding the perfect Christmas trees is one of the highlights of the holiday season. However, with the recent invasion of the Spotted Lanternfly, many Pennsylvanians are left wondering if they should be hesitant about bringing a possible tainted topiary into their home. The experts at Giroud Tree and Lawn explain what to look for on Christmas trees before buying one.

Why Is Spotted Lanternfly Spreading So Fast?

Spotted Lanternfly came from Asia, where natural predators keep the species from multiplying too quickly. Unfortunately, here in the United States, it's spreading rapidly because those known predators aren't around to keep it in check.

Spotted Lanternfly and Christmas Trees

While Spotted Lanternfly have invaded Pennsylvania heavily in the last few years, there's not much cause for concern on your Christmas Conifer. The PA Department of Agriculture and Penn State have been working closely with the Pennsylvania Christmas Tree Growers Association, and they have been diligently training all tree growers on proper inspection practices.

Although the Spotted Lanternfly has been seen on many species of trees, they don't appear to show an interest in the varieties used for Christmas trees. In a recent article published by the Penn State Extension, Tanner Delvalle, a horticulture extension educator explains, "Christmas trees are not a preferred host for spotted lanternflies, so the probability of finding a spotted lanternfly or an egg mass on Christmas trees is low and should not be a reason for anyone to forego having a live holiday tree."

Inspect Before Buying a Christmas Tree

Although the Spotted Lanternfly is a cause for concern, the bottom line is that homeowners should always check any live tree before bringing it home. All sorts of insects and critters can hang out in a live tree, so it's best to do a full inspection before purchasing. However, other than the occasional spider, homeowners can rest assured that PA Christmas Tree growers are adhering to strict standards and checking trees before they head to the lot.

Still, it's a good idea to know how to look for Spotted Lanternfly Egg Masses. At this time of year, all of the adults have died, but they've left behind eggs which will hatch in the spring. These eggs are laid in rows of about 10, and they are covered in a clay-like gray colored secretion. To destroy the egg masses, use a credit card to scrape them off and drop them in a bag with rubbing alcohol.

Before heading out to the Christmas tree lot or farm, homeowners can watch Giroud's instructional video on Spotted Lanternfly Egg Masses to know exactly what to look for.

Pennsylvania Christmas Tree Growers Association Executive Director, Denise Calabrese, states "We encourage all Christmas tree lovers to enjoy everything that a real tree adds to the season. It's a great family tradition and a way to support your local agricultural community. I know that it won't deter me from having a real tree in my home again this year."

About Giroud Tree and Lawn

Giroud Tree and Lawn specializes in tree service, lawn care and mosquito and tick control programs that make customers love doing business with the company since 1974. Serving Bucks, Montgomery and Philadelphia Counties, the company offers professional tree and lawn evaluation, tree pruning, tree removal, insect and disease control, fertilizing, stump removal, traditional and 100% organic lawn programs and mosquito and tick control. Giroud Arborists are certified by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) and have the knowledge and experience required to properly diagnose, treat and maintain trees and lawn health. The company is Accredited by the Tree Care Industry Association and Better Business Bureau. Giroud has also been awarded the Angie's List Super Service Award(r) every year since 2005. The "Giroud Treework for Charity" program donates free tree care services to parks, historical sites and other non-profit organizations located in the Company's service area. For more information, visit the company website at http://www.giroudtree.com or call 215-682-7704.

Related link:

This news story was published by the Neotrope® News Network - all rights reserved.

Free News Articles, Home and Garden

Giroud Tree and Lawn explains homeowners should remove Ailanthus trees, the host plant for Spotted Lanternfly

HUNTINGDON VALLEY, Pa. -- Researchers are still learning about the Spotted Lanternfly, an invasive insect attacking trees and causing property damage across Pennsylvania. Penn State, along with the PA Department of Agriculture and the USDA, has been researching the habits and life cycle of Spotted Lanternfly since it first appeared in Berks County in 2014.

One thing is certain: the Ailanthus Tree (or Tree of Heaven) is a magnet for these pests. The experts at Giroud Tree and Lawn explain why if homeowners have an Ailanthus tree on the property, removal may be the best way to avoid an invasion of Spotted Lanternfly.

Why Is Spotted Lanternfly Spreading So Fast?

Spotted Lanternfly came from Asia, where natural predators keep the species from multiplying too quickly. Unfortunately, here in the United States, it's spreading rapidly because those known predators aren't around to keep it in check.

What Can Homeowners Do to Control Spotted Lanternfly?

Although this insect's population is growing exponentially each year, there are many things homeowners can do to control it:
* Use sticky bands on trees starting in early May to catch any young nymphs.
* Treat any infested trees with a basal trunk spray in July to kill adults as they crawl up the tree.
* Treat any infested trees with 1-2 foliar sprays in late August - early November to kill adults in the crown of the tree.
* Scrape and destroy all egg masses on any reachable branches and the trunk of the tree. Also check for egg masses on the undersides of every surface outside, including playsets, grills, decking, railings, patio furniture and siding.
* Remove all Ailanthus trees and Ailanthus tree sprouts from the property.

What is an Ailanthus Tree?
The main host tree for Spotted Lanternfly is the Ailanthus Altissima, or Tree of Heaven. Ailanthus trees came to the U.S. from China around the 1780's. Classified as "weed trees", they reproduce by both seed and root sprouts. Shoots can sprout from the tree's roots from as far away as 5o feet around the tree!

Ailanthus trees can grow up to 100 feet tall and the trunk can be nearly 6 feet in diameter. They have a great canopy and often thrive easily in conditions other trees don't. In fact, an Ailanthus tree may be viewed as an important part of the yard and homeowners may be hesitant to remove them. However, if there are any other valuable trees on the property, the Ailanthus will attract Spotted Lanternfly and the insects could also swarm other trees.
Spotted Lanternfly have been known to attack other types of trees, including Black Walnuts, Maples, Birches, Willows, and many more. According to the PA Department of Agriculture, they feed from more than 70 species of trees, and 25 of them are found in Pennsylvania. Keeping an Ailanthus tree is like inviting Spotted Lanternfly to a buffet in the backyard!

How to Remove Ailanthus Trees

If homeowners have an Ailanthus tree or are not sure if a tree is an Ailanthus, they should call an ISA Certified Arborist to evaluate the tree look for signs of Spotted Lanternfly. Giroud Tree and Lawn recommends removing Ailanthus trees and grinding the stumps down as deeply as possible.

After removing the Ailanthus tree and stump, sprouts may still pop up on the property. The good news is they are easy to remove! Grab the shoot by its base and pull upward gently to remove the young tree and all of its roots. To see how to identify and remove an Ailanthus tree, watch this video with Giroud Tree and Lawn's ISA Certified Arborist, Mike Chenail.

About Giroud Tree and Lawn

Giroud Tree and Lawn specializes in tree service, lawn care and mosquito and tick control programs that make customers love doing business with the company since 1974. Serving Bucks, Montgomery and Philadelphia Counties, the company offers professional tree and lawn evaluation, tree pruning, tree removal, insect and disease control, fertilizing, stump removal, traditional and 100% organic lawn programs and mosquito and tick control. Giroud Arborists are certified by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) and have the knowledge and experience required to properly diagnose, treat and maintain trees and lawn health. The company is Accredited by the Tree Care Industry Association and Better Business Bureau. Giroud has also been awarded the Angie's List Super Service Award(r) every year since 2005. The "Giroud Treework for Charity" program donates free tree care services to parks, historical sites and other non-profit organizations located in the Company's service area.

For more information, visit the company website at http://www.giroudtree.com or call 215-682-7704.

Related link:

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Business, Free News Articles, Home and Garden

What is Pennsylvania and the Government Doing to Combat and Control the Spotted Lanternfly Invasion

HUNTINGDON VALLEY, Pa. -- Now that the cooler fall weather is here, the adult Spotted Lanternfly are dying off, but not before laying thousands of eggs which will hatch next spring. Many homeowners are wondering what the government is doing to control the invasive insect. The experts at Giroud Tree and Lawn explain what Pennsylvania is doing to combat Spotted Lanternfly and show homeowners how to remove and destroy Spotted Lanternfly Egg Masses in an instructional video.

There are three main players in the fight against Spotted Lanternfly here in Pennsylvania: the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA), the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), and Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences. Working together, they have been spreading the word about the dangers of this insect to our ecosystem and to homeowners.

Penn State has been researching this insect since it first appeared in the US back in 2014. The hard work done by Emeilie Swackhamer, Penn State Horticulture Director, and her team has been instrumental in understanding how the Spotted Lanternfly is causing damage and how to combat it. She explains in an informational YouTube video that while it's still too early to say what the long-term effects will be, the insects are definitely causing significant die-back and defoliating branches in trees.

The PDA has been working hard to control the insect within the state. They have outlined their efforts on their website as follows:

"The (PDA) has taken on the role of control and treatment and hired more than 20 field staff to:
* Place sticky bands in more than 10,000 locations
* Issue nearly one million permits to more than 17,000 companies
* Survey for Spotted Lanternfly in all 67 counties (33,000 documented points)
* Establish a 14-county quarantine zone
* Kill more than 71,000 Tree of Heaven
* Establish hundreds of trap trees (Tree of Heaven that are left alive and treated with insecticide to kill SLF feeding on the trees)"

The USDA has also been attempting to figure out how to control the insect, even going so far as to import predator wasps from China to test the idea of introducing another invasive insect in order to control this one. However, these trials can take time and they need to research every possible outcome before taking such a measure.

Fred Strathmeyer, Deputy Secretary for Plant Industry and Consumer Protection for PDA, explains the possible negative ramifications in a recent article on PhillyMag.com. "Unleashing (a predator insect), or napalm, or any of the other drastic measures folks have suggested would also devastate the environment, and harm pets and humans and other crops."

How Homeowners Can Help Combat the Spotted Lanternfly Invasion

In an instructional YouTube video, Giroud Tree and Lawn explains what to look for and how to remove and destroy Spotted Lanternfly Egg Masses.

There are 3 important steps homeowners should take if they see Spotted Lanternfly egg masses in the property:
1. Scrape the egg masses from any surfaces using a credit card.
2. Destroy the eggs by dumping the egg masses and any debris into a bottle or bag with rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer.
3. Report any findings online at http://www.extension.psu.edu/have-you-seen-a-spotted-lanternfly or call the Spotted Lanternfly hotline 1-888-422-3359.

Where to Find Spotted Lanternfly Egg Masses

The first place to look for egg masses is on the undersides of branches of trees where Spotted Lanternfly are feeding. However, these tricky insects will actually lay eggs on virtually any smooth surface, typically on the undersides where the egg masses are better protected from predators.

Egg masses can be found on:
* Benches
* Stones
* Firewood
* Cars
* Playsets
* Railings
* Outdoor Grills
* Patio Furniture

When In Doubt, Call a Certified Arborist

If homeowners have any questions about suspicious masses or any other evidence of Spotted Lanternfly on the property, they should call an ISA Certified Arborist to evaluate the property and look for signs of the insect.

About Giroud Tree and Lawn

Giroud Tree and Lawn specializes in tree service, lawn care and mosquito and tick control programs that make customers love doing business with the company since 1974. Serving Bucks, Montgomery and Philadelphia Counties, the company offers professional tree and lawn evaluation, tree pruning, tree removal, insect and disease control, fertilizing, stump removal, traditional and 100% organic lawn programs and mosquito and tick control. Giroud Arborists are certified by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) and have the knowledge and experience required to properly diagnose, treat and maintain trees and lawn health. The company is Accredited by the Tree Care Industry Association and Better Business Bureau. Giroud has also been awarded the Angie's List Super Service Award(r) every year since 2005. The "Giroud Treework for Charity" program donates free tree care services to parks, historical sites and other non-profit organizations located in the Company's service area. For more information, visit the company website at http://www.giroudtree.com or call 215-682-7704.

Related link:

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Free News Articles, Home and Garden

How to Remove and Destroy Spotted Lanternfly Egg Masses

HUNTINGDON VALLEY, Pa. -- Now that the cooler fall weather is here, the adult Spotted Lanternfly are dying off, but not before laying thousands of eggs which will hatch next spring. Homeowners need to know what to look for because now is the time to take action and destroy as many egg masses as possible. The experts at Giroud Tree and Lawn show homeowners how to remove and destroy Spotted Lanternfly Egg Masses in an instructional video.

Removing and destroying egg masses will greatly reduce the spread of Spotted Lanternfly. The Spotted Lanternfly causes a lot of problems for trees, farmers and homeowners! They destroy crops, damage trees, and attract stinging wasps. The insects also drip a sticky honeydew secretion which can land on hardscapes and cars below.

It is going to take a statewide effort to combat the spread of this insect. Awareness is the first step, and the PA Department of Agriculture is asking for the public's help in combating the Spotted Lanternfly by destroying egg masses now through next May. One female Spotted Lanternfly can lay up to 100 eggs!

In an instructional YouTube video, Giroud Tree and Lawn explains what to look for and how to remove and destroy Spotted Lanternfly Egg Masses. There are 3 important steps homeowners should take if they see Spotted Lanternfly egg masses in the property:
1. Scrape the egg masses from any surfaces using a credit card.
2. Destroy the eggs by dumping the egg masses and any debris into a bottle or bag with rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer.
3. Report any findings online at http://www.extension.psu.edu/have-you-seen-a-spotted-lanternfly or call the Spotted Lanternfly hotline 1-888-422-3359.

Where to Find Spotted Lanternfly Egg Masses

The first place to look for egg masses is on the undersides of branches of trees where Spotted Lanternfly are feeding. However, these tricky insects will actually lay eggs on virtually any smooth surface, typically on the undersides where the egg masses are better protected from predators.

Egg masses can be found on:
* Benches
* Stones
* Firewood
* Cars
* Playsets
* Railings
* Outdoor Grills
* Patio Furniture

When In Doubt, Call a Certified Arborist

If homeowners have any questions about suspicious masses or any other evidence of Spotted Lanternfly on the property, they should call an ISA Certified Arborist to evaluate the property and look for signs of the insect.

About Giroud Tree and Lawn:

Giroud Tree and Lawn specializes in tree service, lawn care and mosquito and tick control programs that make customers love doing business with the company since 1974. Serving Bucks, Montgomery and Philadelphia Counties, the company offers professional tree and lawn evaluation, tree pruning, tree removal, insect and disease control, fertilizing, stump removal, traditional and 100% organic lawn programs and mosquito and tick control. Giroud Arborists are certified by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) and have the knowledge and experience required to properly diagnose, treat and maintain trees and lawn health.

The company is Accredited by the Tree Care Industry Association and Better Business Bureau. Giroud has also been awarded the Angie's List Super Service Award(r) every year since 2005. The "Giroud Treework for Charity" program donates free tree care services to parks, historical sites and other non-profit organizations located in the Company's service area.

For more information, visit the company website at http://www.giroudtree.com or call 215-682-7704.

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