As the holiday season approaches, the Invasive Species Centre is urging the public to check their holiday decorations for invasive species. Christmas trees, wreaths, and other natural decor can have invasive insects, eggs, and plants that pose a threat to local ecosystems and the economy.
Christmas trees should be inspected for egg masses laid by invasive spongy moth and spotted lanternfly. Spongy moth is a significant threat to trees across Canada and can cause heavy defoliation, tree mortality, lost revenue in the forest industry during larger outbreaks, and human health risks due to the rash and irritation the caterpillar hairs can cause. Spotted lanternfly is a regulated pest under the Plant Protection Act. It has the potential to devastate grape and wine production in Southern Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia if populations were to establish in Canada.
Learning how to identify, remove, and report invasive egg masses can help slow the spread of these harmful pests:
- Spongy moths lay tanned yellow, spongy masses, which have a texture compared to the felt of a tennis ball and typically contain 100-1,000 eggs. If you find an egg mass, snap a picture and report the sighting to EDDMapS or iNaturalist, or call the Invading Species Hotline at 1 (800) 563-7711. Then, follow the Scrape – Soak – Scrap Method:
- Use a scraper, such as a butter knife, to carefully remove the mass. Always wear gloves and protective glasses and take caution if scraping from a ladder.
- Soak the masses in a bucket of dish soap and water mixture for 48 hours.
- Dispose of the egg masses.
- Spotted lanternfly egg masses look like a smear of grey-brown mud and can be found on virtually any hard surface outdoors in the fall and winter. If you spot one, follow the Snap It – Catch It – Report It Method:
- Snap a clear picture.
- Scrape off the egg masses into a plastic bag filled with hand sanitizer or rubbing alcohol, and seal it. Egg masses can also be stored in the freezer if hand sanitizer or rubbing alcohol is not readily available.
- Then, report it as soon as possible to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency with its precise location.
There have been live and dead sightings and interceptions of spotted lanternfly in Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Manitoba in the last two years. This invasive insect has spread considerably in the northeastern U.S. states with breeding populations as close to the Canada-U.S. border as Buffalo, NY, making public vigilance and reporting crucial.
Wreaths and other natural decor can also contain invasive pests, egg masses, and invasive plants such common buckthorn, English ivy, English holly, invasive bittersweet, and invasive barberry. These plants are used in these items for their attractive berries and evergreen foliage but can facilitate spread especially through improper disposal. Avoid purchasing or making wreaths with invasive plants. You can learn how to identify invasive species at the Invasive Species Centre website.