This Is Your Reminder About Spotted Lanternflies Here In New Jersey
Here we are Jersey, in the middle of July. The sun is shining and we’re barbecuing. We’re biking and we’re hiking. We’re tanning and we’re swimming. All this to say…
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 26: Dead spotted lanternflies perch on a tree at Inwood Hill Park on September 26, 2022 in New York City. Spotted lanternflies, an insect native to Southeast Asia that scientists say arrived in the U.S. seven years ago and in New York City in 2020, feed on the sap of more than 70 plant species, leaving them susceptible to disease and destruction from other pests. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
Here we are Jersey, in the middle of July. The sun is shining and we’re barbecuing. We’re biking and we're hiking. We’re tanning and we’re swimming. All this to say we’re spending a lot of time outside right now.
And as the summer continues to progress and we get into August, we will still be spending lots of time outside, but it will be time to be vigilant. This is because August and September are the prime season for spotted lanternflies.
In case you are new to the area, or you are lucky enough to have never come across one before, spotted lanternflies are an invasive species of insect native to China, India, and Vietnam. According to the New Jersey Department of Agriculture, in its native countries, they have several direct natural predators. But here in the US, they do not.
Currently, the only natural enemies we have of the lanternflies are generalist enemies, like praying mantises and certain species of spiders. These generalist enemies are not likely to decrease the spotted lanternfly population on their own.
IF YOU SEE A LANTERNFLY, PLEASE KILL IT. I cannot stress this enough. Spotted lanternflies are detrimental to our crops and our trees. These bugs will feed on the sap of over 70 different plant species. This feeding that they do damages plants significantly and can stress them out so much that the plant’s health will decrease, and they may die.
Currently, spotted lanternflies are in their nymph stage, meaning they don’t have wings yet and can’t fly. They are still quick and will try to jump away from you if you try to kill them, but it's still relatively easy to do.
Once August rolls around though, the nymphs will have grown into adults and have gotten their wings. In my personal experience with them, they don’t tend to fly really far. They use their wings to extend their jumps. It is harder to kill full-grown adult lanternflies than it is the nymphs, but please try.
There are several different ways you can kill them. First, there’s the standard squish method. Stomp on them, smash them with your shoe, whatever you have to do. A favorite among several of my extended family members is to shoot them with a salt gun.
If you’d rather try something a little less aggressive (I get it, they’re gross to look at, especially when they’re smushed on the ground), NBC New York suggests spraying the bugs with straight vinegar, which will kill them on contact. Or you can combine 1/4 cup of liquid soap, like Dawn dish soap, with a quart of water and a tablespoon of vegetables in a spray bottle and spray them with that.
The soapy water will suffocate the lanternflies. You could also try planting milkweed. Milkweed is very attractive to lanternflies, but the sap is poisonous to them.
These bugs multiply like crazy, so please, kill them when you see them. If everybody is vigilant, we may be able to slow their spread and decrease the damage they are doing to our New Jersey crops.
11 Most Beautiful Lakes in America
America is known for many good things, from fast food to NFL football to land as far as the eye can see. Of course, you'll also find many beautiful lakes in America.
With so many lakes across the United States, you're probably within driving distance of a fantastic lake of some sort. So, which lakes are the absolutely best in America? It's a tough question. I mean, everyone looks for something different in a lake. Some people love large lakes that look almost like the ocean, while other thrive at small, inland lakes where you can always see the shore. But, there are some lakes that stand above the rest when it comes to beauty and popularity.
I've put together a list of the "11 Most Beautiful Lakes in America," offering a little bit of something for everyone. These lakes are found all across America, so wherever you live, one of these probably is relatively close to you. We're heading into the perfect season to visit a lake, too. For those who aren't lucky enough to live near the ocean, going to a lake is the next best thing. So, get your sunscreen, hat, sunglasses and bikini or trunks and check out 11 lakes to visit. Find a USA travel guide here.
Seneca Lake, New York
Seneca Lake is the biggest of the 11 glacial Finger Lakes. It's 38 miles long and more than 618 feet deep, making it one of the deepest lakes in America. What's extra cool is that the U.S. Navy even does some testing for submarines in this lake, because of its depth.
Yellowstone Lake, Wyoming
If you've ever been to Yellowstone Park, you've probably visited Yellowstone Lake. The massive lake is a part of Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming. It's actually the biggest lake in the park and one of the biggest highly elevated freshwater lakes in North America.
Lake Tahoe, California and Nevada
The famous Lake Tahoe is located right on the state line between California and Nevada. It's stunning, as it is surrounded by the glorious Sierra Nevada Mountains. This is the largest alpine lake in North America, making it a must-see lake.
Lake Santeetlah, North Carolina
Here's a special lake located within the Nantahala National Forest and surrounded by the Great Smoky Mountains. This is also a very pure lake, as its shoreline is mostly protected from development. It's a beautiful destination for fishing, jumping in a canoe or kayak or a picnic.
Hanging Lake, Colorado
Hanging Lake is so glorious. It's located in the middle of Glenwood Canyon in the White River National Forest, and it's actually part of the Southern Rocky Mountains. This lake "was formed by a geologic fault which caused the lake bed to drop away from the valley floor above," according to the USDA Forest Service, and is a designated National Natural Landmark.
Lake Superior, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan
The Great Lakes are, of course, some of the most famous lakes in the world. One that's often left of best-of lists is Lake Superior. It's the largest freshwater lake in the world and has a whopping 10% of the world's surface freshwater. Drink up.
Lake Michigan, Wisconsin/Michigan/Illinois
Lake Michigan is simply a landmark. It's actually the most deadly lake in America, due to the high volume of drownings. But, aside from the scary, it's a beautiful and large lake. The lake is spread over more than 307 miles, and there are many beach towns across those miles.
Lake Lanier, Georgia
Located in the northern part of Georgia, Lake Lanier runs nearly 40,000 acres. It stems from the construction of the Buford Dam. This lake is known for its super clear water. The water is actually crystal blue. How beautiful, right?
Lake Jocassee, South Carolina
Lake Jocassee is in the Appalachian Mountains, and it's actually a man-made reservoir. Its water flows from the mountains. This is another lake known for its very clear water, so you get to see all the fish and underwater creatures when you look down into the water flow.
Lake Okeechobee, Florida
Lake Okeechobee is the biggest freshwater lake in Florida. It's a very popular spot for largemouth bass fishing. Those who visit the lake get to learn the history and today's experience of the Seminole community at the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum, which is a bonus.
Lake Erie, Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, New York
The Lake Erie shoreline touches Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania and New York. The body of water offers some of the warmest waters you'll find in the Great Lakes. Lake Erie also offers some fantastic areas to swim, making it a popular vacation lake.
