Officials Urge Removal of Lanterfly Tape After Harm to Wildlife

Lancaster County officials are urging communities to take down their lanternfly tape after several instances of wildlife getting stuck in them.

Lanternfly tape is often attached to trees and plants to trap this type of flying bug. But it can also prove to be incredibly dangerous for wildlife that utilizes those trees and plants.

So far, a nonprofit animal rescue organization in the area has taken in 45 injured animals who have been trapped in lanternfly tape. These animals include squirrels, bats, woodpeckers, and even a hawk.

Many animals aren’t as fortunate and end up dying as they are trapped and stuck to the tape. Left, to slowly die of hunger and dehydration.

Founder and director of Raven Ridge Wildlife Center, Tracie Young said, “What’s happening is that people are taking them off the sticky tape, they are tearing skin, their feathers are being ripped out, bones are being broken. So it’s a long process to get these animals off of the sticky tape.”

Officials are urging people to take down this tape when the season ends. So that the wildlife can get back to doing what they do without risk of getting stuck.

They also urge people to not try to assist the animals themselves if they see one that is stuck. But to call it in immediately and let an expert handle it.

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