Two New Invasive Species Expected to Increase in Population This Fall
October 11 2018 - 2:00PM
Business Wire
The National Pest Management Association warns
homeowners of the presence of spotted lanternflies and longhorned
ticks
Fall is here and the National Pest Management Association (NPMA)
is warning homeowners of two lesser-known insects that are likely
to be spotted throughout the season. Residents of the Northeast
region are already dealing with spotted lanternflies on their
properties in large numbers and are also at-risk for longhorned
tick encounters.
“I’ve spoken to multiple people who are dealing with invasive
spotted lanternfly issues in their yards — these invasive insects
can cause massive damage to the trees and fruit crops on our
properties, and can be quite the nuisance,” said Cindy Mannes, vice
president of public affairs for NPMA. “Be sure to take the
preventative measures to make both the inside and outside of your
home less attractive to insects — a good routine at the turn of
seasons.”
Spotted lanternflies have already started to lay their eggs and
infest plants — especially sweet and woody plants — in
Pennsylvania. Neighboring states should keep an eye out, as these
invasive insects are known to spread quickly. A key sign of an
infestation is the black mold they leave behind on trees caused by
the honeydew they produce. While these insects offer no threat to
human life, they can quickly destroy landscaping. If an infestation
is suspected, homeowners should contact their local United States
Department of Agriculture extension office or State Plant
Regulatory Office to have the specimen identified properly.
The longhorned tick originated from East Asia and was first
discovered in New Jersey in 2017. Recently, this tick species has
been found in Connecticut, Pennsylvania and New York. Longhorned
ticks have the ability to reproduce without a mate, allowing them
to spread quickly and reach high population levels. Keep yourself
safe from ticks this fall by checking yourself and your pets after
being outdoors, covering all body parts when walking through grassy
areas and applying an EPA-registered insect repellent containing
DEET.
“We’re still in the process of learning more about this tick
species and the impact they will have in the U.S., but we do know
that longhorned ticks have been known to transmit diseases in other
countries and that tick prevention remains extremely important even
post-summer,” added Mannes.
To learn more about these invasive species, prevention tips and
how to contact a licensed pest control professional, visit
PestWorld.org.
About the National Pest Management Association
The NPMA, a non-profit organization with more than 5,500
members, was established in 1933 to support the pest management
industry’s commitment to the protection of public health, food and
property from the diseases and dangers of pests. For more
information, visit PestWorld.org or follow @PestWorld on Facebook,
Twitter, Pinterest and YouTube.
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Vault CommunicationsDanielle
Corratodcorrato@vaultcommunications.com