Spotted Lanternfly: Tips for Handling Yard Waste in Quarantined Areas

The invasive spotted lanternfly has been found in counties in southeastern Pennsylvania. We are trying to contain and control this pest with the goal of future eradication. A quarantine order is in place that prohibits the movement of any living life stage of this insect to areas outside the quarantined area.For information about identifying the spotted lanternfly, where it is known to exist, the quarantine order, and compliance, go to the Penn State Extension's Spotted Lanternfly website.

Learn how to identify spotted lanternfly and report it. Report any capture, photos, or sightings of this insect to the Penn State Extension's Spotted Lanternfly website or 1-888-4BAD-FLY (1-888-422-3359).

Know which counties are included in the quarantine order. Additional counties will be added if new discoveries occur. Check Penn State Extension's Spotted Lanternfly website for the current quarantine map.

Avoid moving this insect on woody plant debris (e.g., fallen trees or branches and tree trimmings) and any living plants, equipment, building materials, or other objects. Businesses may avoid possible fines by obtaining a spotted lanternfly permit through the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA). To obtain a permit, complete the training online at Penn State Extension's Spotted Lanternfly website. This is a "train the trainer" course to train designated employees (usually an owner, manager, or supervisor) within a company on how to comply with the quarantine regulations. The designated employee must then train fellow employees. Plant nurseries, nursery stock dealers, and mulch producers should contact their plant inspector for compliance information. In-person training and questions may be directed to SLFPermit@PA.gov.

Inspect yard waste and other items and destroy egg masses. Destroy egg masses by scraping and covering them in alcohol, crushing them, or burning them.

Noncommercial residents should use the compliance checklist when moving items from within the quarantined area to outside areas. (see Penn State Extension's Spotted Lanternfly website )

When working in the quarantined area, if possible chip all woody debris on-site to no larger than 1-inch pieces in each of two dimensions. Even within the quarantined area, moving chips is a better practice than moving larger woody debris. Movement of fallen leaves is not regulated under the spotted lanternfly quarantine, but please check for and destroy any egg masses on leaf bags and containers.

If you can, leave all chips or woody debris on-site. The next best option is to take chips or debris to an organic materials recycler within the quarantined area.

To kill viable insects or eggs in chipped material, the composting procedure below must be followed before moving material out of the quarantined area:

1. Compost piles must be a minimum of 200 cubic yards.
2. Internal temperature at a depth of 18 inches must reach 140°F (60°C) for four continuous days.
3. After the interior of the pile is successfully heat treated, the exterior of the pile needs to be rotated to the center. Using a frontend loader or a bulldozer, remove the outer layer of the compost pile to a depth of 3 feet.
4. Start a second compost pile using the recently removed cover material as a core.
5. Cover this second compost pile by moving the core material from the first compost pile as a cover at least 3 feet deep.
6. Allow the second compost pile to remain undisturbed until the temperature reaches 140°F (60°C) for at least four continuous days.
7. After the chips have been successfully composted according to these directions, the resulting composted material meets compliance requirements.
8. Mulch being offered for sale and moved out of the quarantined area must be certified by PDA. Contact your regional plant inspector for information.

Prepared by Emelie Swackhamer, horticulture extension educator.