Today in my garden, I noticed something strange on a tree. I remember clearly that a few days ago, this wasn’t there.  I approached to take a closer look and noticed they were moving, slowly, almost imperceptibly, but definitely moving. 

I searched online for information, and what I found shocked me.  I’m telling you so you can be careful if you notice something like this in your garden. 

Today, in my garden, on a tree, I saw something strange. A few days ago, this definitely wasn’t there.

I got closer — and with horror realized that these gray, seemingly dirty lumps… were moving.

My heart skipped a beat, and it got even scarier when I found out that this was an egg clutch of the spotted lanternfly — a dangerous invasive insect.

These pests feed on plant sap and can destroy dozens of species of trees, shrubs, and grapevines. They weaken plants, cause wilting, leave sticky secretions on which sooty mold grows.

As a result, fruits are damaged, yields drop, and young trees die.

To get rid of the spotted lanternfly, you need to find and remove the egg masses by scraping them into soapy water or alcohol; in spring and summer, destroy the larvae and adults mechanically or with safe insecticides; and if possible, remove their preferred host trees, such as the tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima).

The sooner you start fighting, the better the chances of saving your garden.