The spotted lanternflies are now widespread in Maryland. They have not been causing any major damage to garden and landscape plants (the exception being grapes). They are mainly a nuisance pest in residential areas. They do not chew, bite, or sting.

If you want to do something to try to reduce their numbers around your garden, we recommend using physical removal methods -- stomping or crushing the lanternfly nymphs, vacuuming them with a hand- or shop vacuum, or setting up a circle trap to catch them. Drop any reachable ones into a container of soapy water or rubbing alcohol. Our page on Spotted Lanternfly Management offers several options for what you can do. The use of any insecticide on them is discouraged, as it may harm beneficial insects and spiders that are useful for controlling the lanternfly population naturally. Spiders, mantids, assassin bugs, and birds are some of their main predators.

Christa

Thanks, Christa!

You're welcome.