Knowledgebase

kill lantern flys #936487

Asked June 23, 2026, 9:35 AM EDT

traps or spray to kill lantern flys

Montgomery County Maryland

Expert Response

Spotted Lanternfly (SLF) will not cause serious harm to home garden plants and they do not need to be controlled with insecticide. There is no chemical that targets SLF without also potentially harming other species (such as pollinators, fireflies, beneficial predators, etc.). Birds, predatory insects, spiders, lizards, and other wildlife do eat SLF and will help to reduce their numbers over time. You can learn more on the linked page, which includes a reference to a Penn State resource about making a DIY "circle trap" to capture SLF while reducing the risk of ensnaring other species.

Miri
Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied June 23, 2026, 9:42 AM EDT

Loading ...