Spotted Lanternfly Quarantine Expands in Pennsylvania

Ahead of the 2020 spring hatch for Spotted Lanternfly, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture has expanded its Spotted Lanternfly Quarantine Zone by 12 counties. With this addition, the quarantine for this invasive pest is now at 26 counties.

The new dozen counties are not completely infested, but rather have a few municipalities with a known infestation which led to a quarantine being placed on the entire county.

Allegheny, Beaver, Columbia, Cumberland, Huntingdon, Juniata, Luzerne, Mifflin, Northumberland, Perry, and York have been added effective March 2020.

What this Means for Businesses

The Spotted Lanternfly could stop your business. If traveling in and out of the quarantine you need to get permitted!

Businesses that operate in or travel through quarantined counties are required to obtain a Spotted Lanternfly permit. A permit shows other businesses and states your due diligence to avoid transporting the pest to new areas.

Fines associated with noncompliance can be up to $300 for a criminal citation or up to $20,000 for a civil penalty.

Residents Need to be on High Alert

Those who live inside the quarantine zone need to be extra cautious when coming and going; practicing "look before you leave" is the best way to ensure you're not taking any spotted lanternfly hitchhikers for a ride to the next town (or state!). A few careful seconds can help protect others from this pesky invasive.

In addition to checking for hitchhikers, now is the time of year, before a new population hatches in the spring, to check your property and outdoor belongings for egg masses to be destroyed.

 

Compliance Checklist for Residents