As camping, growing, picnic, landscaping and hauling seasons get underway in Pennsylvania, it is important to remember that the quarantine to prevent the spread of the spotted lanternfly remains in effect for the southeastern region of Pennsylvania. Currently, the quarantine includes Berks, Bucks, Carbon, Chester, Dauphin, Delaware, Lancaster, Lebanon, Lehigh, Monroe, Montgomery, Northampton, Philadelphia and Schuylkill counties, as well as regions in New Jersey, New York, Delaware, Virginia and Maryland.
Intentional movement of spotted lanternflies, in any life stage, remains expressly prohibited. Movement of any article known to harbor any living stage of the insect is prohibited if it is not in compliance with the quarantine. Articles that are known to harbor spotted lanternflies or their larvae or eggs include landscaping and construction waste, firewood, plants and plant parts including logs and stumps, RVs lawnmowers, outdoor furniture, trucks, and vehicles not stored indoors.
The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, in conjunction with the Pennsylvania State Police, has the authority to stop vehicles to determine compliance with quarantine requirements and restrictions. Civil and criminal penalties may be assessed for noncompliance.
A Pennsylvania resident can move these articles by completing a checklist that demonstrates knowledge and compliance of the quarantine. A business, municipality or government agency may have an existing compliance agreement, or must obtain a permit to move any article known to harbor spotted lanternflies by completing training on the quarantine requirements. A permitted business must comply with additional employee training and spotted lanternfly destruction requirements. Training and permits can be obtained at no cost.
Entities that have current spotted lanternfly quarantine compliance agreements may continue to operate under those agreements until contacted by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.
If you have any questions regarding how to comply with the requirements of the spotted lanternfly quarantine, please contact me.
