Director of Township Operations Randy Cope reports South Whitehall will be scheduling meetings and workshops to tell residents what to do to get rid of spotted lanternflies.

“We need everyone’s help to get control of this pest. We’re working diligently,” Cope said during at a recent commissioners’ meeting. “It’s a yearlong process of an eradication plan which will be an annual battle.”

He said sessions will include identification of the Tree of Heaven, a favorite of the lantern flies.

Workshops will demonstrate and explain controls such as egg scraping, systemic pesticides, tree wraps and stump treatment.

Cope said the lantern flies are everywhere, including Covered Bridge Park.

He reported if a tree is infested, the ground beneath it is all wet from the insects’ sticky secretions.

Cope said the township has staff in the public works department who are certified to apply pesticides.

He was still finalizing the schedule for workshops but said the first one will probably be in November.

The meetings will be publicized with fliers, a mailing and posting on the website.

Cope said residents can obtain information on spotted lanternflies from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and Penn State Extension.

He expressed gratitude to residents who have volunteered to help with the eradication program.

The spotted lantern fly was first discovered in Pennsylvania four years ago in Berks County.

The insect is native to China, India and Vietnam and was unintentionally introduced in Korea where it has become a major pest.

If not stopped, the insect will cause harm to grapes, fruit trees and forest products in Pennsylvania.