The Westchester County Parks Department announced on Tuesday that they will be taking new steps to reduce the spotted lanternfly population.
The department says it “acquired high-powered commercial vacuums that are used to suck up large congregations of spotted lanternflies found in our parks.”
It also will have trained dogs from the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference's Conservation Dogs. The dogs will be deployed to sniff out the eggs before they hatch.
“The spotted lanternfly has become a nuisance – and a potential threat – in Westchester County,” said Westchester County Executive George Latimer in prepared remarks. “The steps and suggestions recommended by the Department of Parks, Recreation and Conservation should be taken seriously and I urge the community to come together to help reduce this invasive.”