The spotted lanternfly is a plant pest, not an indoor pest. Philadelphia County has appeared on Pennsylvania's quarantine list, which restricts moving items out of the zone and asks residents to report sightings. This guide covers identification, checks before you travel and where to report.
Key takeaways
- The spotted lanternfly feeds on plants and is a plant pest, not an indoor pest, so it is not usually a reason to call an indoor pest service on its own.
- Philadelphia County has appeared on the state quarantine list, so check the current list before moving items out of the county.
- Check vehicles, outdoor furniture and cut plant material before leaving a quarantine area, because insects hide in folds and wheel wells.
- Report sightings to the Department of Agriculture through its reporting line, with a photograph, the date and the location.
- Adults are the stage most people notice in late summer and fall, and the egg masses and nymphs are the stages to look for on trunks and surfaces.
What is the spotted lanternfly?
The spotted lanternfly is an invasive planthopper that feeds on the sap of plants, including tree of heaven and grapevines. It is a pest of trees and crops, not a house pest, and it does not live in the walls or cellar of a home.
Adults have spotted forewings and red hind wings, and they feed by piercing plant tissue and drawing out sap. They are a concern for vineyards, orchards, landscaping and the edges of woods, and for the people who work in those places. The insect is most visible on trunks, fences, stones and the undersides of leaves.
It is a plant pest, so the people most likely to see it are gardeners, homeowners with trees and anyone parked near woods or a rail line. An indoor pest service is not the first call for it. The practical questions are whether to report it and how to keep it from moving on your belongings.
Its sticky honeydew and the sooty mold that can grow on it are often the first signs on a tree trunk or on a patio beneath an infested tree. Those are useful clues when you walk a yard, because they show where the insects have been feeding even when none are visible.
Is Philadelphia in the quarantine zone?
Philadelphia County has been included in Pennsylvania's spotted lanternfly quarantine, based on a 2023 Penn State map. The list has changed over time, so confirm the current zone with the Department of Agriculture before you move anything out of the county.
A quarantine zone is an area where the state restricts moving certain items, such as plant material, outdoor equipment and vehicles, to another area without checks. Because the list has been updated over time, a map from one year is not a reliable guide to the next, and the restrictions can change with the season.
This guide does not state the current zone boundary. Check the Department of Agriculture's spotted lanternfly pages before you move a vehicle, a trailer or plant material. Asking first is far easier than finding a restriction at a checkpoint or a state line.
If you travel to other counties, check the rules for those counties as well. A property on the edge of the zone, or a business that moves equipment regularly, is the case where the boundary matters most. The Philadelphia pest calendar places this insect in its seasonal context.
How do you check for and handle spotted lanternfly?
Look at tree trunks, fence posts, outdoor furniture and vehicles for egg masses, nymphs and adults. Follow the Department's current instructions for destroying egg masses, and do not carry any stage out of a quarantine zone without checking the rules first.
Check the trunk and the lower limbs of trees, especially tree of heaven, and any stone or metal surface nearby. Egg masses look like a dull, mud-colored crust and are laid in clusters. Early nymphs are small and black with white spots, and they turn red and black as they grow. Adults are the largest stage and the one most often photographed.
Check vehicles, trailers, lawn furniture, grills and outdoor equipment before you leave a zone. Insects hide in the folds of tarps, under bumpers and in wheel wells. A quick check before a trip reduces the chance of moving them, and it costs very little time.
Follow the Department's current instructions for killing egg masses and insects, rather than relying on a method you have heard about. The state's guidance is the reference for the method, and it changes as the science and the rules change.
Where do I report a sighting?
Report sightings to the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture through its spotted lanternfly reporting line, with a photograph and the location. A report helps the state track where the insect is and where it is spreading.
Take a clear photograph with something for scale, such as a coin, and note the date, the address or nearest cross street, and the host plant or surface. Say whether the insect was an egg mass, a nymph or an adult, and how many you saw.
Do not release the insect or move it to another location to show someone. If the Department asks for a specimen, keep it in a sealed container and follow its instructions for handling and delivery. Keep the photograph whatever happens to the specimen.
A report of one insect in a new spot is as useful as a report of many in a known area, because it shows where the insect has moved. Do not assume someone else has already reported it. A single report that adds a new location can change how the state responds.
What if a lanternfly gets inside the house?
A spotted lanternfly that gets indoors is most often a hitchhiker that came in on clothing, a cushion or a vehicle. It is not a sign of a structural problem and it does not feed on the house. Remove it, bag it and report it.
Adults sometimes come inside when they land on a door or window, or when they hide in a porch, a garage or a stored chair. Removing them by hand into a sealed bag is practical. Avoid crushing them indoors, because the body and the sap can stain fabric and surfaces.
Check the outdoor furniture and the area near a door or window, and seal obvious gaps in screens and trim if they let insects in. That sealing also helps with other seasonal insects, so it is worth doing once for several problems.
A pest technician for indoor work will not usually treat a few adults in a home, because the insect is a plant pest. If you see a large number of insects around the house, that is a reason to call the Department and to ask about the trees near the building, rather than a reason to spray the walls.
What should a business with trucks and outdoor equipment do?
A business that moves vehicles, pallets or outdoor equipment through a quarantine area should build the inspection into its routine. A short check at the yard and a written log cost little and reduce the chance of moving insects to a new location.
Make the check part of the end-of-day routine for vehicles that leave the yard. Look at mirrors, wheel wells, under bumpers, the tailgate and any tarps or straps. Insects hide in those places during the day, and they can be missed in a quick glance.
Train the staff who load and drive the equipment to recognize each stage, and to stop and photograph anything unfamiliar before moving it. A short written procedure is easier to follow than a verbal instruction, and it can be shown to a regulator or customer later.
Keep a log of the checks, the places visited and any sightings. Report sightings to the Department of Agriculture with the location and the date. A business that reports early and keeps records is in a much better position than one that discovers a problem after a load has already moved.
How should a homeowner plan for the season?
Plan a late-summer and fall routine: check trees and outdoor items, follow the Department's guidance on host trees, and keep a log of sightings. A few weeks of checks now are easier than a large cleanup later.
Start with tree of heaven and other trees near the house. Look at the lower trunk and the branches, and note any clusters of egg masses from the previous year. Remove or treat host trees only after checking the Department's guidance, because the rules depend on the species and the setting, and an incorrect removal can cause new problems.
Tell neighbors if you see the insect, and ask them to check their vehicles and outdoor items. A neighborhood plan works better than one yard alone, because the insect moves along fences, tree lines and roads, and it does not stop at a property line.
Keep the sealed bags and a note of the dates and places you found insects. A record of when and where they appeared is useful for the Department and for your own decisions the following year. The spotted lanternfly control service covers larger properties.
Frequently asked questions
Is the spotted lanternfly dangerous to people or pets?
It is not generally considered a threat to people. Its honeydew can attract stinging insects, and sooty mold can grow on surfaces beneath infested trees, which is a nuisance more than a hazard. If you have a specific worry about a pet, ask a veterinarian.
Can I spray the insects myself?
Household insecticides can kill the insect, but the Department's guidance governs which methods suit trees and egg masses. Read the label and follow the state's advice before spraying anything near plants, pets or food.
Will a pest company remove lanternflies from my yard?
Some companies offer treatment for trees, but this is a plant pest matter rather than an indoor one. Ask for the company's Pennsylvania business licence, ask what method it uses and check whether that method follows the Department's guidance.
What if I find egg masses on my car?
Scrape them into a sealed bag with rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer, and dispose of the bag following the Department's instructions. Check the car again, including the wheel wells and under the bumper, before you drive out of the area.
How do I know it is not a different insect?
Look at the wing pattern and color. Adults have spotted forewings and red hind wings, but many insects look similar at a glance. A photograph sent to the Department with the location is the best way to get a reliable answer.
This guide is general information for Philadelphia County homeowners, not a substitute for an on-site inspection. Prices are estimates. See our disclaimer.