Protecting Birds from Lanternfly Traps

Spotted Lanternfly; Photo Credit: Deborah Rivel

In many states, the invasive Spotted Lanternfly is becoming a serious problem to our trees and orchards, and people are being asked to eliminate them. Unfortunately one of the popular ways to do this is by using glue traps and sticky tapes which don’t target just this one insect but will also readily trap birds, bats and other beneficial insects in your yard. Once the bird or bat is in the glue trap, it’s very difficult to get them out, and many of them die as a result. A circle trap is a much more humane way to trap these insects by using the insect’s native instincts to crawl up a tree to trap them. You can purchase them or make them yourself. This is an effective way to trap these insects which will naturally crawl into the trap and then won’t be able to get out. It is much more environmentally friendly as it does not target birds and bats, and there are no pesticides or bait involved. If you find birds or bats stuck in a glue trap, don’t try to free them yourself. Call a local wildlife rehabilitator who can remove the animal, safely remove the glue and treat them until they are healthy enough to be released.