11 more counties added to Spotted Lanternfly quarantine

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture announced Friday that 11 more counties have been added to the Spotted Lanternfly quarantine area. 

The addition of Adams, Armstrong, Bedford, Centre, Fulton, Indiana, Lycoming, Mercer, Snyder, Union, and Washington counties brings 45 of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties into the Spotted Lanternfly quarantine.

“Spotted lanternflies threaten outdoor businesses and quality of life as well as grapes and other valuable crops Pennsylvania’s economy depends on,” Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding said. “It’s up to every Pennsylvanian to be on the lookout for these bad bugs. Walk your yard, gardens, or land before spring hatch and scrape egg masses. Kill every bug. Check your vehicles before traveling to ensure you’re not transporting them to a new area for new opportunities to devastate crops and outdoor quality of life.”

The quarantine, which carefully regulates the movement of the insect and items that may harbor the invasive species, requires that businesses that operate in or travel through quarantine areas obtain a Spotted Lanternfly permit. 

State officials throw their support behind ‘collaborative’ efforts to combat invasive species

Examples of items and materials that may harbor Spotted Lanternflies include: 

• Landscaping, remodeling or construction waste
• Logs, stumps, or any tree parts
• Firewood of any species
• Grapevines for decorative purposes or as nursery stock
• Nursery stock
• Packing materials such as pots, crates, pallets, etc.
• Outdoor household articles including recreational vehicles, tractors and mowers, grills and furniture and their covers, tarps, mobile homes, tile, stone, deck boards, mobile fire pits, any associated equipment and vehicles not stored indoors