MORGANTOWN, Pa. — An invasive bug is spreading in the Northeast and sparking serious problems for apple orchards, with some orchard owners saying they are dealing with thousands of spotted lanternflies a day.
Ed Weaver, who owns Weaver’s Orchard, a family business in Morgantown, Pa. that started in the 1930s, said: “I’m fortunate to have seven grandchildren that live close to us, and they love hanging out in the orchard with me.”
They offer apple picking every year and expect big business in the fall.
“This time of year is a very busy time for us. Pick your own is a big part of our sales.”
But, for the past few years, Weaver’s been dealing with spotted lanternflies.
Some Pennsylvania-based apple orchard owners say they are dealing with thousands of spotted lanternflies a day. (Katie Byrne / Fox News)
“They’re a nuisance or annoyance, you know? As you’re walking through the orchard, they like to, when they see something moving, they tend to fly and land on it,” Weaver said.
He keeps replacing it throughout the summer.
“I’m never going to get them all, you’re never going to get them all.”
Fruit growers have said the only relief they’ll get from these spotted lanternflies is when the first freeze of the season comes, usually in October.
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