Spotted lanternfly problem persists on LI

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There are more spotted lanternflies on Long Island than last year, experts say. The pests, which pose a threat to certain types of trees, have been popping up in abundance lately. Meredith Radisch, from Old Bethpage, says the tree on her front yard has an infestation of lanternflies. She's had to spend thousands of dollars between tree trimming and an exterminator already, and the problem hasn't gone away. Experts tell News 12 the population has started to decline in places like Staten Island, where the lanternflies were first seen in New York state last year. The state is asking anyone who spots an infestation to email them with photos and the location at spottedlanternfly@agriculture.ny.gov. "