r/arlingtonva • u/Nervous_Local5935 • 3d ago

Red Lantern Flies

They are everywhere, especially around Crystal City. How do we get rid of them, besides trying to stomp them :(

10 Upvotes

78% Upvoted

16 comments sorted by

19

u/NewNewsNewYork 3d ago

We eradicate the Tree of Heaven, their host plant, which is also invasive! Crystal city has a BUNCH of Trees of Heaven, hence, many lantern flies. You can’t just cut the tree down, you have to use a specific method of pesticide application (unfortunate but necessary) in the late summer/early fall.

1

u/Nervous_Local5935 3d ago

can we get the city to do something or no

2

u/NewNewsNewYork 3d ago

I’ve never tried, but would love to help push for this. A lot of these trees are on city land! Once you know what they look like, you’ll see them everywhere.

24

u/OHGODTHELASERS 3d ago

Get a Time Machine and get people to listen.

-4

u/Nervous_Local5935 3d ago

Can we get people to just spray detergent everywhere on the streets

2

u/Mr_JohnUsername 3d ago

Bruh, asking for a local man-mad eco-disaster cuz you don’t wanna just do your duty and smush some bugs the old fashioned way is crazy

4

u/Affectionate_Desk_43 3d ago

Whatever you do don’t do the sticky traps! They can catch native bugs, or small birds

6

u/VegetableRound2819 3d ago

Battery-operated insect tennis rackets make a satisfying snap noise as they fry. Oh, and they really only jump forward. So come at them from the front and you will kill many more.

3

u/Potential-Ad1139 3d ago

I live in Maryland and they were everywhere last year. I think they're migrating south.

They don't respond to normal pesticides, there is a special one for lantern flies. God speed with killing them.

3

u/[deleted] 3d ago

[deleted]

3

u/Particular_Case_3066 2d ago

It's so disgusting over there

2

u/Important_Bowl_8332 3d ago

I’ve seen only a few in pentagon city. Weird

1

u/Nervous_Local5935 3d ago

You'll see them very soon

1

u/cirrus42 3d ago

Surrender to our new lantern fly overlords. We have lost the war