If You're in an Infested Area

Inspect Your Property

• Check trees, especially tree-of-heaven, grapes, black walnut, maple, and birch
• Look for egg masses on any flat outdoor surface, including vehicles, furniture, and equipment
• Inspect your vehicle before traveling to avoid spreading SLF to new areas

Remove Egg Masses

• Scrape egg masses off surfaces using a plastic card or putty knife
• Press down hard while scraping to crush the eggs until they pop
• Alternatively, scrape egg masses into rubbing alcohol or soapy water and leave for 24 hours before disposal
• Check vehicles, outdoor furniture, and playground equipment, not just trees

Control Adults and Nymphs

• Squish or smash small numbers of adults and nymphs you encounter
• Use a shop vacuum to remove larger numbers from surfaces
• Leave vacuumed insects in the canister for 1-2 days to ensure they're dead, or transfer to a sealed bag and freeze for 24 hours
• Empty and clean the vacuum promptly to prevent odors

Consider Trapping Circle traps and sticky bands can help reduce SLF populations. If using sticky bands, always install a mesh wire guard around them to protect birds, bats, and other wildlife from getting stuck. Learn how to build traps at https://bit.ly/SLFTrapping.

Professional Treatment For heavy infestations, consider hiring a licensed pesticide applicator. Chemical treatments are most effective when applied by trained professionals and should only be used in cases of severe infestation.

Tree-of-Heaven Removal

Tree-of-heaven is itself an invasive plant species and a preferred host for spotted lanternfly. Removing it may reduce honeydew accumulation but won't eliminate SLF from your property. Removal requires herbicide treatment to kill the root system and is best done by licensed professionals. The sap can irritate skin, so take precautions if attempting removal yourself.

Is spotted lanternfly dangerous to humans or pets? No. Spotted lanternfly does not bite, sting, or attack people or animals. There is no scientific evidence that they are poisonous if accidentally ingested by pets, though it's best to prevent pets from eating large numbers of any wild insect.

Will SLF kill my trees? Grapevines are at highest risk and can be killed in one season. Young saplings of black walnut and tree-of-heaven may suffer severe damage. Most established trees can tolerate SLF feeding, though the honeydew and sooty mold can be problematic.

When should I look for spotted lanternfly? Egg masses are visible from fall through early spring. Nymphs appear from May through September. Adults are active from August until the first hard freeze, typically in December.

What's the best way to control spotted lanternfly? A combination of methods works best: regularly inspect your property, destroy egg masses when found, use physical removal (squishing or vacuuming) for adults and nymphs, and consider trapping or professional treatment for heavy infestations.