Why should I be worried about these pests?
These pests can turn summers into bummers! Spotted lanternfly (SLF) and Asian longhorned beetle (ALB) cause serious damage to plants and can be an outright nuisance. ALB feeding can cause large branches to break off of trees, especially after storms. SLF drip sticky, slippery honeydew as they eat, which can coat decks and patio furniture and become moldy. You should be able to enjoy your pool time without having to worry about dangers caused by invasive insects. Follow these links to learn more about these pests and the damage caused by ALB and SLF.
Why pool filters?
At this time, reliable traps are not available for spotted lanternfly and Asian longhorned beetle – this is why we need more folks looking! These insects are large, showy, and frequently drown in pools. By taking a closer look at your pool filter, you can alert our team to new infestations and help keep your summers safe and enjoyable.
If I find Asian longhorned beetle or spotted lanternfly or suspect an infestation, what should I do?
Please report suspect insects or infestations to NCDA&CS. If you find a suspected spotted lanternfly, please report it online here. For Asian longhorned beetle, you may use this online reporting tool. Photos, especially with a size reference like a coin or pencil, are very helpful for identifying these pests. If you can capture the specimen, keep it in a sealed container until you hear back from us. Even if you’re not sure, go ahead and use the reporting tools – we’d rather confirm a negative than miss a positive!
What if I see spotted lanternfly or Asian longhorned beetle outside my pool?
We would still like to know! Please use the link provided above for the insect you are reporting.
What if I see spotted lanternfly or Asian longhorned beetle in a public pool, or my neighbor’s pool?
Go ahead and collect the specimen if you can. Make sure you get in touch with the property owner before submitting the report.
Is there anything else I can do to protect North Carolina from these pests?
Spotted lanternfly and Asian longhorned beetle have spread so quickly due to humans accidentally moving them around. Immature ALB can survive in cut wood for months, so if you are going camping, it is best to wait to buy or cut firewood until you get to your destination, or to purchase certified heat-treated firewood. If you have already taken firewood to a campsite, please burn it all completely before you leave. SLF are even better travelers! If you visit an infested area, check your vehicle and belongings for egg masses before you leave. If you see one, be sure to scrape it off with a plastic card and stomp it. Brushing off the surface of your clothes can prevent nymphs and adults from hitchhiking home with you too.
What else is being done to detect these pests?
Both spotted lanternfly and Asian longhorned beetle can move into new areas undetected. It is usually difficult to identify new infestations until populations build up and damage is detected. While traps and lures are often developed to target pests for early detection, researchers have not yet “cracked the code” for these two pests, and we must conduct visual surveys instead. Most reports of new infestations come from homeowners and landowners, as well as arborists, horticulturists and foresters noticing something wrong with their trees or finding the insects and reporting their observations to authorities. Efforts are underway to teach extension agents, and agricultural, tree, forest, and other experts how to recognize, identify and report potential new infestations.
What happens if one of these pests is found?
Fortunately, North Carolina is not the first state to deal with these species, and we have been able to learn from the successes of infested states. NCDA&CS has worked extensively to get plans and materials in place to respond to these pests if/when we find them. Your participation can help these plans succeed!
THANK YOU FOR CHECKING YOUR POOL FILTER!
These pests can turn summers into bummers! Spotted lanternfly (SLF) and Asian longhorned beetle (ALB) cause serious damage to plants and can be an outright nuisance. ALB feeding can cause large branches to break off of trees, especially after storms. SLF drip sticky, slippery honeydew as they eat, which can coat decks and patio furniture and become moldy. You should be able to enjoy your pool time without having to worry about dangers caused by invasive insects. Follow these links to learn more about these pests and the damage caused by ALB and SLF.
Why pool filters?
At this time, reliable traps are not available for spotted lanternfly and Asian longhorned beetle – this is why we need more folks looking! These insects are large, showy, and frequently drown in pools. By taking a closer look at your pool filter, you can alert our team to new infestations and help keep your summers safe and enjoyable.
If I find Asian longhorned beetle or spotted lanternfly or suspect an infestation, what should I do?
Please report suspect insects or infestations to NCDA&CS. If you find a suspected spotted lanternfly, please report it online here. For Asian longhorned beetle, you may use this online reporting tool. Photos, especially with a size reference like a coin or pencil, are very helpful for identifying these pests. If you can capture the specimen, keep it in a sealed container until you hear back from us. Even if you’re not sure, go ahead and use the reporting tools – we’d rather confirm a negative than miss a positive!
What if I see spotted lanternfly or Asian longhorned beetle outside my pool?
We would still like to know! Please use the link provided above for the insect you are reporting.
What if I see spotted lanternfly or Asian longhorned beetle in a public pool, or my neighbor’s pool?
Go ahead and collect the specimen if you can. Make sure you get in touch with the property owner before submitting the report.
Is there anything else I can do to protect North Carolina from these pests?
Spotted lanternfly and Asian longhorned beetle have spread so quickly due to humans accidentally moving them around. Immature ALB can survive in cut wood for months, so if you are going camping, it is best to wait to buy or cut firewood until you get to your destination, or to purchase certified heat-treated firewood. If you have already taken firewood to a campsite, please burn it all completely before you leave. SLF are even better travelers! If you visit an infested area, check your vehicle and belongings for egg masses before you leave. If you see one, be sure to scrape it off with a plastic card and stomp it. Brushing off the surface of your clothes can prevent nymphs and adults from hitchhiking home with you too.
What else is being done to detect these pests?
Both spotted lanternfly and Asian longhorned beetle can move into new areas undetected. It is usually difficult to identify new infestations until populations build up and damage is detected. While traps and lures are often developed to target pests for early detection, researchers have not yet “cracked the code” for these two pests, and we must conduct visual surveys instead. Most reports of new infestations come from homeowners and landowners, as well as arborists, horticulturists and foresters noticing something wrong with their trees or finding the insects and reporting their observations to authorities. Efforts are underway to teach extension agents, and agricultural, tree, forest, and other experts how to recognize, identify and report potential new infestations.
What happens if one of these pests is found?
Fortunately, North Carolina is not the first state to deal with these species, and we have been able to learn from the successes of infested states. NCDA&CS has worked extensively to get plans and materials in place to respond to these pests if/when we find them. Your participation can help these plans succeed!
THANK YOU FOR CHECKING YOUR POOL FILTER!
PHOTO SOURCES FOR MATERIALS: