Rin Velasco

Massachusetts residents are advised that vacuuming spotted lanternflies or using bottle and circle traps can be more effective for large infestations than squishing them. The invasive insects damage plants and excrete honeydew, which can ferment into sooty mold and attract bees and wasps. State biologist Jennifer Forman Orth recommends these removal methods, while the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources tracks infestations across more than 130 cities and towns.

Massachusetts has confirmed its second human West Nile virus case of 2026, involving a man in his 60s exposed in Middlesex County. Because of the cases and positive mosquito samples, the state has raised the risk to high in Boston, Brookline, Cambridge, Everett, Newton, Somerville, and Watertown. Most infections cause few or no symptoms, but older adults face a greater risk of severe illness, including encephalitis or meningitis. There is no specific treatment, so residents are advised to prevent mosquito bites with EPA-registered repellents, avoid peak mosquito activity, repair window screens, remove standing water, and consult veterinarians about animal repellents and vaccinations.