Connect with us

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania residents are taking measures to combat pests swarming their yards: 'It's going to be bad this year'

Published

on

Pennsylvania residents are taking measures to combat pests swarming their yards: 'It's going to be bad this year'


Homeowners are gearing up for the influx of invasive species that attack their gardens every summer. 

While the spotted lanternfly can be a pretty insect to look at, with its spots and hints of bright red, the bug is classified as an invasive species that feeds on a variety of plants and crops — leaving behind millions of dollars worth of damage. 

One homeowner discovered several newly hatched lanternflies, known as nymphs, and shared a video of them on the r/pittsburgh subreddit thread. 

Photo Credit: Reddit

“Spotted Lantern Fly Nymphs on Every Tree I inspect,” the original poster said. 

Advertisement

The video showed several lanternflies in their early stages of life, resting on the bark of a tree. 

The spotted lanternfly is native to China, India, and Vietnam. However, in 2014 it was discovered in Berks County, Pennsylvania. 

The insect has no natural predators, often thriving in backyard gardens or crop-filled fields. Spotted lanternflies are known for ravaging native plants, draining their sap, and leaving excrement that can cause further disease to the greenery. 

While the spotted lanternfly does not threaten humans, according to the Natural History Museum in London, it has been found to threaten more than 100 species of trees and plants. The damage it causes not only harms ecologically important plants but also harms regions economically. The Cool Down previously reported that in Pennsylvania, these flies can cost farmers and the state around $324 million each year.

These insects are known for laying large masses of eggs, which has led local and state governments to issue campaigns to destroy the fly. 

Advertisement

For those wanting to avoid squashing the insect, try this bottle trick to get rid of the bug and help support your ecosystem. 

As some have begun to spot the spotted lanternfly nymphs in their gardens, other homeowners have warned that certain regions could be in for an influx of the invasive species. 

“They’re all over my Bee Balm. It’s going to be bad this year,” one wrote on Reddit. 

“Smashed about 30 today… so little and so plentiful… hate these things,” another said.

“I went up on the roof of the porch on the front of my house to inspect something. Looked up and they were all over the top of my house!” a third chimed in.

Advertisement

Join our free newsletter for easy tips to save more, waste less, and help yourself while helping the planet.


Cool Divider



Source link

Pennsylvania

Large fire damages apartment building in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania

Published

on

Large fire damages apartment building in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania



A large fire ripped through an apartment building in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania Saturday night.

Advertisement

The fire broke out just after 8:15 p.m. at One Maryland Circle apartments in Whitehall Township, Lehigh County.

Video obtained by CBS News Philadelphia shows firefighters battling heavy flames in an apartment unit, with thick smoke pouring from the building. The footage also shows noticeable damage to the building from the fire.

Firefighters battle flames in an apartment building in Whitehall Township, Pa.

CBS News Philadelphia

Advertisement


The cause of the fire is unknown, and it is unclear if anyone was displaced or injured.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Pennsylvania

Man in critical condition after argument turns to shooting in Lansdowne, Pennsylvania

Published

on

Man in critical condition after argument turns to shooting in Lansdowne, Pennsylvania


Investigators say the dispute escalated into gunfire.

Saturday, December 13, 2025 2:03PM

Man critical after argument turns to shooting in Lansdowne

LANSDOWNE, Pa., (WPVI) — An argument between two groups turned violent late Friday night in Delaware County, leaving one person fighting for their life.

The shooting happened around 10:45 p.m. along the unit block of South Wycombe Avenue in Lansdowne.

Investigators say the dispute escalated into gunfire, striking one individual who was rushed to the hospital and is now listed in critical condition.

Advertisement

Police recovered a firearm at the scene, but so far, no arrests have been made.

Authorities have not released the identity of the victim or any details about what sparked the confrontation.

Detectives are continuing to investigate and are urging anyone with information to come forward.

Copyright © 2025 WPVI-TV. All Rights Reserved.



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Pennsylvania

Vallejo man suspected of fatally shooting wife arrested in Pennsylvania

Published

on

Vallejo man suspected of fatally shooting wife arrested in Pennsylvania


A man suspected of fatally shooting his wife at their Vallejo home was tracked to Pennsylvania and arrested, authorities said.

The Vallejo Police Department said in a press release that officers responded to a missing person report on Tuesday evening on the the 1000 block of Oakwood Avenue. A friend had reported her coworker had not shown up for work, and the friend was worried about her well-being after a recent argument with her husband. The friend told officers her friend had recently gone to a mutual friend’s residence after her husband had threatened to kill her. 

Police conducted a welfare check at the missing person’s apartment, but no one answered the door, police said, and none of the neighbors reported any disturbances from the residence. An automated license plate reader indicated that her vehicle was last seen traveling in West Vallejo, and attempts to contact both the missing person and her husband by phone were unsuccessful, police said.

On Wednesday evening, a maintenance worker at the apartment complex entered the missing person’s residence and found her unresponsive and he called 911. Officers arrived and found she had been shot to death at the scene, police said. The woman’s husband, 45-year-old Vallejo resident Zheer Queja Malassab of Vallejo, was identified as the suspect.

Advertisement

Zheer Queja Malassab

Vallejo Police Department


A search for the victim’s vehicle led to the discovery that it traveled to Pennsylvania, and detectives contacted the Pennsylvania State Police, informing them of a be-on-the-lookout alert and the vehicle’s last known location. 

Pennsylvania State Police located the vehicle and and tried to pull it over in snowy conditions, but the driver sped away, police said. Due to the conditions, the driver was ultimately forced to stop and surrender. Zheer was arrested without incident, and he admitted to shooting his wife after he was read his Miranda rights, police said. 

Advertisement

Zheer is currently waiting to be extradited to California, where he will face charges of murder and will be booked into the Solano County Jail. 

Anyone with information regarding this case is urged to contact Detective Stephanie Diaz at (707) 648-5430 or at Stephanie.Diaz@cityofvallejo.net, or Detective Zach Horton at (707) 648-5425 or Zach.Horton@cityofvallejo.net. Anonymous tipsters can call the tip line at 800-488-9383.

It was the city’s 17th homicide of 2025.



Source link

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending