Burlington County Takes On Invasive Spotted Lanternfly​s

CINNAMINSON, NJ — The Burlington County Environmental Commission is asking its residents to do their part in helping stop the spread of an invasive species.

The Spotted Lanternfly, pictured above, is an invasive species that devastates crops and hardwood trees, the environmental commission said in a release.

Residents are asked to help out by destroying egg masses in alcohol, bleach or hand sanitizer. They can also scrape the masses off, double bag them and throw them in the trash, as demonstrated in the video below.

Residents are also asked to collect or photograph Spotted Lanternflys when seen in nature. Specimens of any life stage can be sent to the New Jersey Department of Agriculture’s lab for verification.

Residents are also asked to turn on their smartphones' GPS functions, take a photograph of a Spotted Lanternfly or egg mass and email it to SLF-plantindustry@ag.nj.gov.

Residents can also report lanternflys by phone through the New Jersey Spotted Lanternfly Hotline at 1-833-223-2840. Callers are asked to leave their contact information and a detailed message explaining the sighting.

Here's what to do if you see a Spotted Lanternfly egg mass.