The Spotted Lanternfly was first introduced in Pennsylvania in 2014 and has been threatening agriculture in the state ever since. Now this invasive species has been spotted in Warren county and has been rapidly spreading to other counties in New Jersey!
According to the New Jersey Department of Agriculture the following counties are currently under quarantine: Mercer, Hunterdon, and Warren counties. This list may change or expand based on new findings of the Spotted Lanternfly. If you live in one of these quarantine zones updated information can be found here.
It is important to note that the Spotted Lanternfly lays eggs in early fall.The females lay their egg masses on a variety of objects such as trees, farm equipment, outdoor furniture, firewood, and trucks. Before you move any of these items you must check and dispose of egg masses to reduce transporting it to new locations.
Businesses that travel or move equipment out of the quarantine area must pass a training to gain knowledge on how to manage the Spotted Lanternfly.
To help stop the spread of the Spotted Lanternfly, residents in New Jersey need to comply with the checklist for resident sissued by the NJ Department of Agriculture.
If you live in a quarantine zone and see an egg mass, scrape them off, double bag the eggs and throw them away. If you collect the specimen it can be turned into the New Jersey Department of Agriculture.
If you live outside of a quarantine zone and see a Spotted Lanternfly
you must report it! Call the New Jersey Spotted Lanternfly Hotline at 1-833-223- 2840 (BADBUG0) and leave a message detailing your sighting and contact information.
