This past spring, I wrote a post about the permitting requirements for businesses and organizations that transact business within the spotted lanternfly (“SLF”) quarantine zone, which includes Lancaster County. Since that time, we have entered the time of year where the SLF eggs have hatched and the large, red, yellow and brown winged insects have been seen flying around our area.
Recently, I have been seeing more and more information about the SLF and the harms it can cause to local agriculture. Almost every day, I see neighbors posting that they have seen SLFs on their properties and wondering what they should do to get rid of them. (If you’re wondering, too, click here to read the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture’s guide on how to eliminate or control SLF adults). Just this morning, Warwick Township, where I live, reported that SLFs have been seen in various locations throughout Warwick Township. They also posted an interesting story map on how the SLF made its way to Pennsylvania.
The good news is that the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture is offering 31 in-person SLF permit classes through the end of the year. If your business or organization is required to obtain a permit, or if you are simply interested in learning how to curb the threat the SLF poses to our community, you can sign up for the free two-hour class at the Lancaster Farm & Home Center.
Laura McGarry is an attorney at Russell, Krafft and Gruber, LLP in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. She received her law degree from Penn State Law and provides legal counsel to individuals and businesses in Lancaster and surrounding communities.