Reference
Spotted Lanternfly: Report and Destroy
The short answer
The spotted lanternfly is a serious invasive planthopper. If you find one, the guidance from Penn State Extension is straightforward: report it and destroy it. You can report findings to the Penn State Extension spotted lanternfly resources or the hotline, which helps track the pest's spread.
Egg masses are laid from about fall through spring and look like grayish-brown, roughly 1.5-inch smears containing rows of tiny eggs the size of a pencil point. Scrape them off with a plastic card or putty knife into a container of rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer and leave them there, since eggs scraped onto the ground can still hatch. Crushing or burning egg masses also works. For heavy infestations or pesticide questions, consult Penn State Extension and follow all local quarantine rules.
Report first
Because spotted lanternfly is invasive and still spreading, reporting sightings matters. Report findings through Penn State Extension's spotted lanternfly resources or the hotline, especially if you are outside a known infested area.
How to destroy egg masses
- 1Find them — Look from fall through early spring for grayish-brown, ~1.5-inch egg masses with rows of tiny eggs on trees, stone, and outdoor surfaces.
- 2Scrape — Use a plastic card or putty knife to scrape egg masses into a bag or container of rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer, and leave them in the solution permanently.
- 3Alternatives — You can also destroy egg masses by crushing or burning them. Do not just scrape them onto the ground, where they can still hatch.
When to get help
For large infestations, tree treatments, or any pesticide use, consult Penn State Extension's management guidance and your state agriculture department, and follow all quarantine and yard-waste rules for your area. Follow the label on any product.
⚠ Eggs remain viable over winter; egg masses scraped to the ground can still hatch, so destroy them in alcohol, or crush or burn them.
Sources
Reviewed 2026-07-18. We cite university Extension, government, and established horticultural sources — and never invent pesticide rates or dangerous treatments.
- Penn State Extension — What Should You Do With Spotted Lanternfly Egg Masses? — Scrape egg masses into alcohol/hand sanitizer and keep permanently; eggs scraped to ground can still hatch; crush or burn as alternatives; egg masses ~1.5 inches, grayish-brown, rows of eggs.
- Penn State Extension — Spotted Lanternfly — Report findings to Penn State Extension resources/hotline; invasive pest overview.
- Penn State Extension — Spotted Lanternfly Management Guide — Management, timing, and pesticide-safety guidance; consult Extension for infestations.