Spotted lanternfly sticky traps are harmful to other wildlife, experts say

PITTSBURGH — For more than a year, 11 News has been following the harm spotted lanternflies are causing.

The advice has been to kill them, but some people are trapping them instead.

Residents in some parts of western Pennsylvania are using sticky tape to trap spotted lanternflies, but experts say that could be doing more harm than good.

“It’s frustrating but fortunately they don’t bite, they don’t, but they are more of a nuisance,” said Jeff Hersh, who lives in Pittsburgh.

While the tape method is effective, experts say it’s not safe.

“Unfortunately sticky tape is very harmful to beneficial insects and birds,” explained Rachel Handel who works for the Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania.

The Audubon Society shared photos with Channel 11 of a bird that got caught in one of the traps.

“You can go to the hardware store and follow directions that are online to create a very simple trap, one that’s not going to harm any other wildlife,” Handel explained.

The homemade traps are usually made out of netting, wood, and some type of plastic entrance, but depending on size can be expensive. Experts say it’s worth the cost.

“We don’t want people to feel guilty about putting up the tape because it was a recommendation a couple of years ago,” Handel said.

To learn how to make a trap, click here.

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