Spotted Lanternfly in Burlington County: What Homeowners Need to Know

Burlington County Has a Spotted Lanternfly Problem

The spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) has established itself across Burlington County, and it's not going away on its own. Confirmed populations exist throughout county parks, along trail systems, and in residential neighborhoods from Evesham Township to Medford to Burlington City. If you've seen a colorful, moth-like insect with distinctive red underwings on your property — especially on tree-of-heaven, grapes, hops, or apple trees — you almost certainly have spotted lanternfly.

The good news: there are professional treatments that work. The key is acting early in the season before populations explode.

What Is Spotted Lanternfly?

Spotted lanternfly (SLF) is an invasive planthopper from Asia that arrived in Pennsylvania in 2014 and has since spread throughout New Jersey, including all of Burlington County. Adults are approximately an inch long with gray-speckled forewings and striking red and black hind wings. Nymphs are smaller and darker, progressing through four instar stages from spring through summer.

SLF does not bite or sting humans. The pest threat is entirely to plants. SLF feeds by piercing plant stems and extracting sap — weakening plants, reducing yields in agricultural settings, and leaving behind a sugary excrement called "honeydew" that promotes black sooty mold growth on plants, outdoor furniture, and decks.

Why Burlington County Is Particularly Vulnerable

Burlington County has several characteristics that drive particularly high SLF populations:

• Tree-of-heaven (Ailanthus altissima) is everywhere. This invasive tree is the preferred host plant for spotted lanternfly — and it grows abundantly along roadsides, at forest edges, and in disturbed areas throughout Burlington County. Anywhere tree-of-heaven grows, spotted lanternfly populations develop and concentrate.
• Agricultural properties in eastern Burlington County with vineyards, orchards, and hop yards face direct economic threat. SLF can cause severe yield losses in grapes and hops.
• Residential landscaping — particularly fruit trees, ornamental maples, birches, cherries, and willows — is heavily targeted by SLF feeding, especially late in the season when population pressure intensifies.

The SLF Seasonal Calendar: When to Act

• March–May: Egg masses hatch. This is the optimal window for intervention. Egg masses look like dried mud smeared on tree bark, fencing, or stone and contain 30–50 eggs each. Destroying egg masses before they hatch is the most efficient way to reduce local populations.
• May–July: Early nymph stages (instars 1–3). Small black nymphs with white spots. Treatments applied during nymph stages are highly effective.
• July–September: Late nymph stage (instar 4) and adults begin emerging. Red-and-black nymphs visible. Adult populations build rapidly and cause the most visible plant damage during this period.
• September–November: Adults concentrate on preferred host trees to feed heavily before laying eggs. This is when Burlington County homeowners see the largest visible aggregations.
• November–April: Adults die off; egg masses overwinter on smooth surfaces everywhere — trees, rocks, fencing, vehicles, outdoor furniture.

What Homeowners Can Do

Early season action is always more effective than late-season reactive treatment:

• Scrape and destroy egg masses in March and April before they hatch. Use a hard card to scrape into a bag with rubbing alcohol.
• Remove tree-of-heaven from your property where feasible. This eliminates the primary breeding and feeding reservoir that sustains local populations.
• Contact treatment during nymph stages (May–July) is highly effective and the best window for professional treatment.
• Systemic tree treatments can protect high-value ornamentals like fruit trees and ornamental maples from late-season SLF feeding damage.

When to Call a Professional

If you're seeing large numbers of SLF on your property, have fruit trees, ornamental maples, or grape vines you want to protect, or are simply overwhelmed by the volume of egg masses or adults, professional treatment is the most effective and efficient option.

We serve Burlington County homeowners and farms — from Evesham Township and Medford to Mount Laurel and Southampton — with targeted spotted lanternfly treatments timed to the life cycle stages when treatment is most effective.

Call (609) 793-8707 to schedule a property assessment and get a treatment plan for your Burlington County home or farm. Early season action makes all the difference.