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The pest continues to spread throughout the East Coast and Midwest

READING, Pa. , Aug. 24, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- An invasive pest continues to cause alarm throughout the East Coast and Midwest. The Spotted Lanternfly is spreading rapidly enough throughout these regions to force municipalities to create quarantine and "kill on sight" orders. 

Often described as "the worst pest," the spotted lanternfly was first discovered in the United States in Pennsylvania in 2014 and has been creating destruction in residential and agricultural areas ever since. On first sight, the spotted lanternfly is visually appealing, with red and black hind wings, black-spotted front wings and a yellow abdomen with black bands. The destruction caused by this captivating pest, however, is not pleasant.

With a taste for more than 70 plant species, the spotted lanternfly's appetite and damage caused to plants threatens the agriculture industry, backyards, gardens, orchards, woodlands and community landscapes. This time of year, adult spotted lanternflies are mating and laying eggs, so it is more important than ever to be vigilant about the signs.

Spotted lanternfly populations are currently found in 11 states and threatens to continue its trek across the country. States with confirmed cases include Connecticut , Delaware , Indiana , Maryland , Massachusetts , New Jersey , New York , Ohio , Pennsylvania , Virginia and West Virginia .

Board Certified Entomologist Chad Gore of Ehrlich Pest Control offers insights into the invasive pest and how to protect plants and property from potential damage from the spotted lanternfly.

For more information on tick control and prevention, please visit www.jcehrlich.com.

For nearly a century, customers have trusted Ehrlich Pest Control to protect their families, homes and businesses from pests and the health threats and damages they can cause.

Since its founding in Reading, PA in 1928, Ehrlich has expanded to serve across the United States , with more than 50 offices serving nearly 20 states and the District of Columbia . With its team of highly trained, local experts, Ehrlich provides proactive pest control solutions through monitoring, prevention, and maintenance. Those solutions include general pest control, rodent, termite, bed bug, mosquito, wildlife management, and TAP (thermal, acoustical, pest control) insulation services, and more. Ehrlich is part of Rentokil, the world's largest pest control company. Rentokil and its companies, including Florida Pest Control, Western Exterminator and Presto-X Pest Control, provide commercial and residential pest control to customers in the United States and Canada .

For more information, visit Ehrlich at jcehrlich.com and connect on LinkedIn or Facebook.

MEDIA CONTACTS: Brandon Allums [email protected]

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