Businesses Required to Obtain a Spotted Lanternfly Permit

The Spotted Lanternfly population has grown considerably in Pennsylvania. It has expanded its range by attaching itself to vehicles and cargo. For this reason, it is crucial that everyone moving in or out of the quarantined areas to do their part to restrict the insect’s population expansion.

As the pest has adapted to life in Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA) has developed strategies for containing, controlling and quarantining the areas of infestation. Businesses, municipalities, state and federal agencies and other organizations that travel in or out of the 13-county quarantine zone are now required to obtain a permit. The physical permit is a tag that hangs from the vehicle rearview mirror and is designed to recognize that the holder is aware of the Spotted Lanternfly infestation and is following procedures to prevent further spreading of the pest from one location to another.

Requirements for obtaining the permit include:

• The permit applicant is required to watch an online training on the Spotted Lanternfly.
• Applicant is required to complete a 20-question multiple-choice test.
• If the business or organization is large enough, a supervisor or manager is required to take the “train the trainer” online course and complete the test, as well as train the rest of the company before being granted a permit.
• Once the test is successfully completed, a permit is issued.
• For larger organizations, multiple permits will be issued for all vehicles in the company.
• All businesses or organizations who operate or travel within the quarantined area, or actively ship materials, are required to obtain a permit.

Pennsylvania counties that are quarantined include: Berks, Bucks, Carbon, Chester, Delaware, Lancaster, Lebanon, Lehigh, Monroe, Montgomery, Northampton, Philadelphia and Schuylkill.

It’s important that everyone know how to identify a Spotted Lanternfly, its egg masses (produced September – May), nymphs (hatchlings appear April – October) and its favorite food, the Tree of Heaven. If you believe you have seen a Spotted Lanternfly, promptly report the sighting to the Pennsylvania State Extension at 1-877-345-0691.

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