Westmoreland County added to Spotted Lanternfly quarantine zone

Westmoreland is among eight counties added to Pennsylvania’s Spotted Lanternfly quarantine zone.

It’s part of an effort by state officials to slow the spread of this invasive pest. The insect can crop up in backyards, becoming a nuisance for those looking to enjoy outdoor activities.

It also is a threat to Pennsylvania’s grape, tree fruit, hardwood and nursery industries, damaging plants through its feeding.

Westmoreland joins 33 other counties subject to the quarantine after infestations of the pest were reported in Derry, Ligonier and Hempfield townships, Greensburg, Latrobe and Manor, according to an online map. Neighboring Cambria County also was added to the quarantine list, which already includes Allegheny and Beaver counties.

Businesses that operate in or travel through quarantined counties are required to obtain a free Spotted Lanternfly permit. The quarantine prohibits the movement of any Spotted Lanternfly in one of its three living stages — egg masses, nymphs or adults — and regulates movement of items that can harbor the insects, such as firewood, tree parts, nursery stock and landscaping or construction waste.

As noted in a state checklist, residents in a quarantined county are asked to look for the pest on vehicles and items such as outdoor furniture, fence posts and camping equipment before traveling or transporting them from the quarantine area. Officials want them to destroy any pests they find and report the insects to the Penn State Extension at 888-422-3359.

Egg masses, which can look like a smear of mud, should be scraped and squashed, according to officials. The pest, in any of its phases, also can be destroyed by placing it in a container with rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer.

“We need every Pennsylvanian to keep their eyes peeled for signs of this bad bug – to scrape every egg mass, squash every bug and report every sighting,” said Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding.

“Last spring, we quarantined 12 counties with isolated infestations, and those counties have not been overrun because of the heightened awareness a quarantine brings,” said Ruth Welliver, director of the state’s Bureau of Plant Industry. “With continued aggressive treatment and monitoring, and an actively engaged community, we can help ensure families and businesses in these new counties aren’t inconvenienced by widespread infestation.”

Visit agriculture.pa.gov/spottedlanternfly for more information about the pest and related permitting.