How You Can Comply with the Spotted Lanternfly Quarantine Regulations

Spotted Lanternfly (SLF) is not just a concern to agricultural and horticultural professionals; this invasive insect poses significant quality-of-life frustrations for all residents. The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA) quarantine order regulations are in place to prevent SLF from being spread by people and directs citizens to follow guidelines to prevent the movement of the pest at any stage of development.

All residents and businesses must comply with the regulations, and PDA has the authority to fine anyone who willfully violates the quarantine order. To protect neighbors and communities, the agriculture industry and Pennsylvania's business vitality, everyone needs to be aware of best practices to avoid spreading SLF and to utilize these practices in their daily activities.

Read on to discover how to avoid spreading SLF and how to stay compliant with quarantine regulations.

1. Learn about what SLF looks like in every stage of its development throughout the year.

Visit "Spotted Lanternfly, What to Look For" to see additional pictures of SLF

2. Learn about which counties are included in the quarantine order.

The area of the quarantine will continue to change as new discoveries are made. As citizens move within and out of the quarantined area, care must be taken to ensure that SLF in any life stage is not being transported to new areas. To view the most recent quarantine map and to learn which Pennsylvania counties and areas are under quarantine for SLF, visit the Penn State Extension SLF website.

Whether inside or outside the quarantine, everyone is encouraged to report sightings of SLF online or by calling 1-888-4BAD-FLY (1-888-422-3359).

3. Inspect all personal items to be moved from within the quarantined area.

SLF can hitchhike on any object at any life stage. Adult SLF can hold onto vehicles moving at 65 MPH, and egg masses that look like a splash of mud can be hidden on any surface, easily blending in and moving with you anywhere in the Commonwealth and beyond. To ensure SLF are not being transported, check all vehicles, trailers, campers and other equipment thoroughly, including around front and rear windshield wipers, grills, roof racks, wheel wells and truck beds.

Any items intended to be moved, whether within or outside the quarantine, must also be inspected. Any and all items should be inspected, including but not limited to plant material, woody debris, firewood, lawn furniture, construction supplies, tools and other equipment. To aid in minimizing the possibility of movement, citizens are encouraged to avoid parking vehicles or storing items under trees or near tree lines. SLF often lay egg masses on objects near the trees they are feeding on.

Use the resident compliance checklist when moving personal property. This is a legal document to show that you have inspected the item, removed and destroyed any living life stages of SLF, and that you are in compliance. You can print the checklist, fill it out, sign it and take it with you when you move the item(s). The checklist is available for download.

4. All businesses are required to have an SLF permit.

An SLF permit is required for all businesses, agencies and organizations, agricultural and non-agricultural, working within the quarantine, which move regulated articles, such as products, vehicles and other conveyances, within or from the quarantine. A permit is also required to move regulated articles into any part of PA from areas with established SLF populations.

The permit process requires managers or supervisors to complete the permit course to demonstrate understanding and a working knowledge of the pest and quarantine requirements. After successful completion of the permit course, that person is considered a trainer and will be responsible for training all employees on what to look for and how to safeguard against moving SLF. The permit process ensures businesses are trained to inspect regulated articles, any item that may harbor SLF such as products, packaging, vehicles and other conveyances, for SLF living life stages prior to transport.

Information for online and in-person permit training is available on Penn State Extension's SLF page. Direct questions to slfpermit@pa.gov or 717-787-5674.

5. Learn about other states which have SLF populations and quarantine orders.

Multiple states have SLF populations and quarantines. Check with the states' Department of Agriculture for information and ensure you are following SLF quarantine regulations in those states. State officials have collaborated to create reciprocal permit agreements, so businesses do not need to take multiple permit courses.

6. Know the requirements for business inspections and recordkeeping.

Inspections of regulated articles (goods, vehicles, etc.) should be completed before moving within the quarantine zone, leaving the quarantine zone and entering PA from another area that has an SLF population. Because SLF populations are not equally distributed, inspections are required even when traveling within a single quarantined county. The goal is to prevent spreading from areas of high populations to those with low or no populations and to prevent re-infesting treated areas.

Recordkeeping of training, shipping records, inspection of vehicles and control measures taken if SLF was found must be maintained for a minimum of two years. There is no required template for vehicle records, but documentation is required and must identify the person conducting the inspection and demonstrate an inspection was performed to prevent spread of the pest.

7. Compliance agreements are needed for mulch or firewood production.

If your business engages in mulch or firewood production, you will need to enter into a compliance agreement with PDA. Contact the Bureau of Plant Industry Regional Supervisor in your area.

These regulations do not apply to grass clippings or autumn leaf collection. We have not seen SLF lay eggs on these lightweight objects. Clippings and leaves may be moved from the quarantine area if the truck and trailer you are hauling them with has been inspected.

8. If you sell plants, you may need a phytosanitary certificate or compliance agreement.

Pennsylvania law requires horticultural businesses that produce and/or sell plants to have either a Nursery/Greenhouse License or a Nursery Dealer's License. When you have a license, plant inspectors will check your plants. For more information, see the PDA phytosanitary certification page.

Plant nurseries that ship plants from within the quarantined area to other states are also required to have a compliance agreement with the PDA. Contact your Bureau of Plant Industry Regional Supervisor for more information.

You can find more information on the PDA SLF website.

If you do not have access to the Internet, contact the Penn State Extension office in your county to receive copies of the checklist for residents or to find out how you can access the permit training.