Save birds – don’t use glue traps!

To the Editor,

How do you get rid of invasive spotted lanternflies? Last year many area residents tried glue traps. Unfortunately, glue traps (sticky tape on trees) maimed and killed many other species besides spotted lanternflies. Victims included woodpeckers, nuthatches, wrens, hawks, bats, squirrels, and beneficial native insects. Even glue tape “protected” with wire or mesh killed birds that poked their ways underneath, attracted by insects stuck to the tape.

The Lehigh Valley Audubon Society has some good resources on dealing with spotted lanternflies without hurting birds and wildlife: lvaudubon.org/bird-bycatch. Birds have a tough enough time finding food and shelter. Help support their survival by rejecting glue traps.

Shirley Dodson
Swarthmore