Spotted lanternflies invade Hudson Valley's plant life
The invasive bugs are a threat to agriculture, especially grapes.
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Hudson Valley residents are once again seeing spotted lanternflies, the invasive bug that got a lot of attention last year.
"Every day, there's more and more in there," said Harold Howell. He said he has spotted them in his pool filter.
"They're here to stay, unfortunately, at least for the forseeable future," said Cornell Cooperative Extension Horticulture program manager Hillary Jufer. She said Westchester is considered infested with spotted lanternflies.
"We tend to get 10 calls a day," Jufer added.
Spotted lanternflies are a threat to agriculture, especially grapes.
"They can take out entire vineyards," Jufer said.
In one's own garden, they probably will not kill plants, but they will be a nuisance. So like last year, residents are encouraged to kill them.
"Ok, so this is going to sound crazy, but vacuum them," Jufer said by using a stocking in a shop vac to keep them contained. "Usually about two or so days without food and they actually die."
Residents are not encouraged to use vinegar. People may have seen it on the internet, but Jufer said it does not work. Vinegar can also end up harming plants instead of the bugs that it is intended for.
For more information on spotted lanternflies, visit the Westchester County Cornell Cooperative Extension.
