Don’t Report Spotted Lanternflies Anymore Says NJ, Just Kill Them

There's nothing like the most recent kind of pest that's continued to plague South Jersey for about four years now.

I'm, of course, referring to the spotted lanternflies that seem to have completely taken over the state. We've reported earlier this summer about how people have been complaining about them more and more in and around South Jersey, particularly in Atlantic County.

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The spotted lanternfly problem is no joke anymore. If you really want to make your skin crawl, you are sure to get the heebie jeebies when you watch this video of a bunch of them seemingly taking over the exterior of a building here in the Garden State. LOOK:

So disgusting, right?

In previous years, even up until the first few months of summer, New Jersey's Department of Agriculture was asking residents to report spotted lanternfly sightings throughout the state. We asked the question this summer, though, was it really worth our time to still call one in? Honestly, they're everywhere now.

Apparently, the powers-that-be here in the Garden State that are responsible for solving the spotted lanternfly infestation problems have sided with us. Sources have reported that no longer are you required to report any lanternfly sightings. Instead, you are just to kill them on the spot.

On behalf of all NJ residents, let me be the first to say THANK GOD! The problem's getting so out of control that I'm willing to bet people were already doing this before getting the official green light to do so.

There is some good news to share, though, on the spotted lanternfly front. The hope is that the majority of eggs that adult lanternflies are laying at the present won't survive the winter. That should, at least, curb the problem for the next few months. Will they return in full force next summer? I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

Sources: Youtube, TheDigestOnline.com