FAQ
What is the Spotted Lanternfly?
Native to Asia, the spotted lanternfly first was discovered in Berks County in 2014. It has since spread to 51 Pennsylvania counties and to surrounding states, including New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Delaware, Ohio, Virginia, Massachusetts, Indiana, West Virginia and Maryland. The insect has a broad host range, including ornamental and woody plants, and is a threat to the state’s agriculture, primarily viticulture. Its propensity for hitchhiking has warranted state quarantines that require any shipment and movement of goods, as well as conveyances, to be free of any life stage of the spotted lanternfly. As such, its economic impacts may be felt by a wide range of industries, such as forest products, tourism, and any business that ships any goods into or out of quarantined areas. It is a nuisance pest to the public, and authorities stress the need to keep this pest from spreading.
I think I killed/caught a spotted lanternfly in an area where it is not presently known to exist. What do I do?
If you find a spotted lanternfly or suspicious-looking egg mass in a location where it is not known to exist, you should try to collect it and put it into a container with alcohol (rubbing alcohol, hand sanitizer, etc.) to kill and preserve it, or at least take a good picture of it.
Report your sighting to www.SLFPermits.us, or by calling us at 717-216-0188. Your discovery is important and could help efforts to reduce the insect’s further spread.
I have spotted lanternfly in an area near my home, work, school, etc., in a municipality where it is already known to exist, but I am concerned. Any advice on what I should do?
If possible, you should try to destroy it/them. If you have questions about how to do this, you can reach out via email at [email protected]
Can I prevent spotted lanternflies from getting on my property?
No. Spotted lanternflies cannot be prevented from coming onto your property, particularly as adults, when they become more mobile. However, their presence alone does not indicate that you will have plant decline on your property. In some cases, the insects may just be attracted to their favorite plants or to buildings. They land on buildings for warmth, height or other unknown reasons. They do not cause structural damage to buildings, and adult spotted lanternflies will move on in a few weeks or die with cold weather.
Should I treat my tree?
There is no catch-all answer to this question, though it is frequently asked. It depends on many factors including the type of tree, how healthy it is and the level of infestation.
Does the spotted lanternfly bite or sting?
No, the spotted lanternfly does not bite or sting.
Do spotted lanternflies kill trees and plants?
To date, scientists have seen spotted lanternfly kill only grapevines, tree of heaven and black walnut saplings. Healthy and established ornamental trees have not been recorded to have died from spotted lanternfly, though branch dieback and plant health decline has been observed, particularly on some of the spotted lanternfly's favorite hosts, including black walnut and maple. Additionally, sooty mold — which can grow on large quantities of the pest’s sugary excrement — has been known to kill groundcover plants, particularly immediately below large populations of spotted lanternflies in trees. This is a continued area of research.
Will we ever be rid of the spotted lanternfly?
The spotted lanternfly likely is here to stay, but new research suggests that a wide range of insecticides and nonchemical control methods can help protect vulnerable plants. These methods can help keep the pest at bay while scientists work toward more sustainable, long-term management options. Another promising development is that spotted lanternfly feeding is not destroying fruit trees or most tree species as once thought possible.
Yes, residents demonstrate compliance through the use of a Compliance Checklist. A checklist can be signed once, kept in a personal vehicle and used when needed as a reference.
For Pennsylvania (PA), an SLF permit is required for businesses, agencies and organizations (agricultural and non-agricultural) working within the quarantine, which move regulated articles (defined in the PA SLF Quarantine Order as any living SLF life stage, products, vehicles or other conveyances, etc.) within or out of the quarantine. A permit is also required to move regulated articles into any part of PA from areas in other states with established SLF populations.
Multiple states have SLF populations and individual state quarantines. Details on PA's quarantine and links to other states' SLF information webpages can be accessed through the PA Department of Agriculture (PDA) web pages. State officials have collaborated to create reciprocal permit agreements, so businesses do not need to take multiple permit courses.
Yes, you are required to have a permit if you are conducting business in the PA quarantine. A permit is also needed to move regulated articles into PA from areas outside PA with SLF populations and/or quarantines.
Yes, you are required to have a permit if you are conducting business in the PA quarantine. A permit is also needed to move regulated articles into PA from areas outside PA with SLF populations and/or quarantines.
If you do not originate from an SLF infested area, the load is covered or contained and do not stop in the PA quarantine for business or for anything except quick stops (i.e. fueling), you are not required to get a permit.
School buses are required to have permits if they travel routes with scheduled stops within the quarantine including travel for special events. A permit is not required if traveling from and to areas free from SLF and no stops are made within the quarantine.
Safety and response to calls is absolutely the priority for emergency responders. We are grateful to have dedicated first responders such as those in your organization. However, SLF is a threat to PA and we do not issue waivers. Emergency organizations need to obtain a permit, and personnel should be trained and conduct inspections in a manner that does not interfere with their primary role.
- Drivers should complete and log inspections, when it does not delay or inhibit emergency response. SLF inspections can be rolled into shift turnover or other daily checks.
- All non-emergency travel should follow the normal requirements for SLF inspections, e.g. food runs, fueling, maintenance, etc.
- During the day, advise drivers to have situational awareness. For example: Conduct inspections/mitigations as needed through the workday, such as during swarming, when it does not delay or inhibit emergency response.
Yes, you are required to have a permit if you are conducting business in the PA quarantine.
Yes. You should obtain a permit and train employees about SLF especially those engaged in the receipt of goods (e.g., those working in warehouses and at loading docks). Those employees should inspect for SLF upon receipt of goods.
Yes. You should obtain a permit and train employees about SLF especially those engaged in the receipt and shipment of goods (e.g., those working in warehouses and at loading docks). Those employees should inspect for SLF upon receipt of goods and prior to shipping goods from the distribution center.
Inspect your goods prior to loading onto a third-party carrier truck. Certify your goods are free from SLF using a permit certification label or statement on shipping documents. Email [email protected] or call 717-216-0188 to request a permit certification label template. Or incorporate the following statement onto shipping documents: "The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture certifies these regulated articles have been approved for movement out of the SLF quarantine area. Business Name: (Your Business Name) Permit #: (20XXXXXXXXX)""
Yes, dealerships need to obtain a permit. The participant should enter the number of dealership owned vehicles on their permit course registration (e.g., maintenance and shuttle vehicles). Do not include for-sale vehicles. As vehicles are sold, they should be inspected before the new owner takes possession.
The logger/harvester needs a permit. The hauler also needs to have a permit if transport is not done by the harvesting business. Harvesters are required to make pre-notification to the Department of Agriculture 2-4 weeks prior to harvest. Notify the Bureau of Plant Industry Regional Supervisor for the area the harvesting will occur. An example of the timber harvest pre-notification sheet is available on the SLF Business page. If you have template you currently use for other things, you are welcome to adapt it for SLF.
Permit Course & Employee Training FAQs
Permits FAQs
All business vehicles regardless of size travelling within or from the quarantine need permits.
PDA issues electronic permits which are sent to the permit course participant's email. The permit may be distributed as a printed or electronic copy to the drivers or into the vehicles for which the permittee is responsible. Drivers need to show the assigned permit if stopped at a checkpoint.
Send requests to [email protected]
The PA Department of Agriculture will issue a permit after receipt of your course registration from Penn State. It may take one to two weeks for a business to receive a permit.
Meanwhile, the Certificate of Completion in the PSU permit course serves as a temporary permit. At the end of the SLF online course, follow the instructions to print the Certificate of Completion.
- Click on the link to the "Progress" page in the tool bar or in the course text.
- Click on "View Certificate".
- Print and distribute as needed.
Complete the course for one company. Email [email protected] with the date of permit course completion, additional business names, mailing addresses and number of vehicles associated with each. Additional registrations will be created, and a permit issued for each business.
Permit Renewal FAQs
Permits are renewed annually.
If the information on your registration is incorrect, outdated, or you did not receive a permit, please contact [email protected] or call 717-216-0188. Your registration will be updated, and a new permit issued.
Recordkeeping & Inspections FAQs
Recordkeeping of training, shipping records, and inspection of vehicles with control measures taken if SLF is found (such as vehicle washes, destruction of living lanternfly, etc.) must be maintained for a minimum of two years. Electronic records are acceptable if you can make them available during a verification checkpoint or audit.
Harvesters are required to make pre-notification to the Department of Agriculture 2-4 weeks prior to harvest. Notify the Bureau of Plant Industry Regional Supervisor for the area the harvesting will occur.
Click here to purchase the timber harvest pre-notification sheet.
If you have template you currently use for other things, you are welcome to adapt it for SLF.
There is no required template for vehicle inspections, but documentation is required and must identify the person conducting the inspection and demonstrate an inspection was performed to prevent spread of the pest.
It is recommended that employers and employees incorporate SLF inspections into existing activities, such as daily inspections or safety checks. Document the inspection was done, and the control measures taken if live SLF were found (destruction of SLF, etc.).
Records should be kept by the person who registered for and completed the permit training. You may choose to upload them to this website for online storage.
Inspections should be completed before moving within the quarantine zone, leaving the quarantine zone and entering PA from another area that has an SLF population.
If working in the same municipality all day, drivers should complete and log pre and post trip inspections. During the day, advise them to have situational awareness. For example: Drivers should conduct inspections/mitigations as needed through the work day, such as during swarming.
No need for inspection if the vehicle was not used that day.
Yes. SLF populations are not equally distributed. We want to prevent spreading from areas of high populations to those with low or no populations and prevent the re-infestation of treated areas.
After adults have died off in the winter, remove and destroy any egg masses and adults. Be sure to document the inspection and action. After completing this step, SLF inspections may be suspended December 1 through March 31.
Compliance & Enforcement FAQs
PDA compliance inspections are conducted to determine if a business is following the SLF Quarantine Order requirements. Inspections could be triggered by a report of a quarantine violation, as a routine audit or at the request of a business and could be a roadside check, document audit, vehicle and product inspection or some combination.
PDA will conduct the inspections for SLF and work in cooperation with Pennsylvania State Police (PSP). PSP may also check for violations under their authority.
Inspections will take place at your business. Vehicle inspections may also take place at weigh and other inspection stations.
Inspections will be conducted on a periodic basis as determined by PDA. Timing and frequency depend in part on the SLF life cycle and habits.
Inspections will be random checks and standard parameters will be developed per checkpoint in conjunction with PSP.
Each verification check is unique based on truck and load type. Time invested will vary accordingly.
Drivers must show a permit, either hardcopy or electronic. Drivers will be asked questions to evaluate their understanding and working knowledge of SLF and the risks of spreading the pest.
Once the SLF is destroyed and the entire shipment has been re-inspected and no other SLF is found, the load may continue. The company will be notified of the find and PDA will request to review the company's SLF protocols to prevent subsequent SLF movement. PDA will enter a notation in the company's file and monitor for repeated finds that indicate a larger problem.
No, the manufacturer's permit covers their facility and goods inspected prior to transport. The carrier needs to obtain their own permit.
If the manufacturer is located within the quarantine, the manufacturer needs to obtain a permit, and take the steps to be compliant with the PA SLF Quarantine Order.
No, the carrier needs to obtain a permit, and take the steps to be compliant with the PA SLF Quarantine Order.
The carrier/driver could ask if the goods have been inspected (permit or no) and have the shipper attest to that in some way (e.g., statement and signature on BOL). The carrier has the right to refuse a load if they are not comfortable with the condition of the goods and do not want to take the responsibility if the shipper does not have a permit and did not inspect the goods.
If you have done your inspection and an SLF lands on your vehicle during travel, destroy it and re-inspect the entire shipment. If no other SLF is found, the load may continue. Note the find and re-inspection in your records. No penalties will be assessed.
If both parties completed SLF inspections and an SLF is found during transport or upon delivery, destroy it and re-inspect the entire shipment. Note the find and re-inspection in your records. No penalties will be assessed.
The PA Department of Agriculture began compliance verification May 1, 2019. If you need assistance or have compliance questions, please email [email protected]
The PA Department of Agriculture's goal is to educate and assist businesses with compliance. Any business found to be out of compliance will receive a warning, along with compliance assistance to get permitted. These instances will be tracked, and repeat violators may be fined.
What are the fines associated with non-compliance?
The Pennsylvania SLF Quarantine Order Article VII lists the following:
- Criminal citation up to $300 per violation.
- Civil penalty up to $20,000 per violation.
- Revocation of permit or compliance agreement if PDA determines the holder has not complied.
The Pennsylvania SLF Quarantine Order Article VII lists the following:
- Criminal citation up to $300 per violation.
- Civil penalty up to $20,000 per violation.
- Revocation of permit or compliance agreement if PDA determines the holder has not complied.