Spotted Lanternfly Control in Gloucester County, NJ

Spotted Lanternfly Is Established in Every Gloucester County Municipality

The spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) has been confirmed in all 24 municipalities of Gloucester County, New Jersey. While Gloucester County's Mosquito Control Division monitors populations countywide, they do not provide treatment on private residential or agricultural properties. Professional pest control is your only option for protecting your home, garden, orchards, and trees.

Spotted lanternflies feed on over 70 plant species — including fruit trees, grapevines, hops, hardwood trees, and ornamentals. Though they don't damage structures, a heavy infestation can stress and kill trees, destroy fruit crops, and make outdoor spaces unusable due to the sticky honeydew they excrete (which promotes black sooty mold growth).

Identifying Spotted Lanternfly in Your Yard

• Adults (July–December): 1-inch long, gray/brown forewings with black spots, vivid red hindwings visible in flight
• Nymphs (April–July): Small black insects with white spots (early stage) transitioning to red with white spots (late stage)
• Egg masses (September–June): Gray-brown putty-like patches on smooth surfaces — tree bark, stone, fencing, outdoor furniture, vehicles
• Feeding damage: Weeping wounds on tree trunks, sticky honeydew deposits on leaves and surfaces below infested trees, black sooty mold

Treatment Options

Priority Areas in Gloucester County

Spotted lanternfly pressure is highest in areas with abundant tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima) — their preferred host plant — and near agricultural areas:

• Mullica Hill / Harrison Township — fruit orchards and ornamental trees
• Elk Township and Franklin Township — agricultural properties and vineyards
• Monroe Township (Williamstown) — wooded residential lots adjacent to farm fields
• Washington Township — residential properties with tree of heaven along wooded lot lines
• Deptford Township — commercial corridors with ornamental plantings
• East Greenwich Township and Swedesboro — Delaware River corridor farmland

Egg Mass Removal: Do It Year-Round

Spotted lanternfly egg masses are laid from September through December on any smooth surface and remain viable through June. Scraping and destroying egg masses is one of the highest-impact actions you can take. Each egg mass contains 30–50 eggs. Look for gray-brown waxy patches on:

• Tree bark (especially tree of heaven, maple, willow, black walnut)
• Stone walls, fence posts, and retaining walls
• Outdoor furniture, grills, and play equipment
• Vehicles parked near trees

Scrape masses into a bag with hand sanitizer or rubbing alcohol to kill the eggs. Our technicians can inspect your property for egg masses as part of a spotted lanternfly assessment.