What the New Spotted Lanternfly Quarantine Means for You

New Jersey has placed all counties under quarantine for the Spotted Lanternfly, an invasive insect that poses a threat to agriculture and the environment. The New Jersey Department of Agriculture has issued comprehensive guidelines for residents, businesses, and municipalities on managing and moving regulated materials.

What Is the Spotted Lanternfly?

The Spotted Lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) is an invasive pest capable of laying egg masses of 30-50 eggs on flat surfaces. All life stages of the insect—from nymphs to adults—can fly, hop, or drop onto vehicles and equipment, making it easy for vehicles to spread the pest. Because of this threat, the state quarantine restricts movement of materials and objects that could harbor the insect.

Current Quarantine Status

All counties in the entire state of New Jersey are under Spotted Lanternfly quarantine. This means any material or object that could spread the pest cannot be moved without taking precautions to prevent its spread.

What Materials Are Regulated?

The quarantine covers a wide range of items that Union County residents and businesses may move or transport. Regulated articles include any living life stage of the Spotted Lanternfly, landscaping and construction waste, firewood of any species, packing materials such as wood crates and boxes, all plants and plant parts including logs and stumps, and outdoor household items like RVs, lawn mowers, chairs, grills, tarps, tile, stone, deck boards, and trucks or vehicles not stored indoors.

Rules for Residents Moving Items

Residents may move regulated materials if they complete a compliance checklist indicating they have inspected the items and confirmed that no living Spotted Lanternfly is present. The checklist is available at https://www.state.nj.us/agriculture/divisions/pi/pdf/NJResidenceSLFChecklist.pdf. This checklist gives residents permission to move materials within the state quarantine zone.

Rules for Businesses, Municipalities, and Government Agencies

Businesses, municipalities, and government agencies moving regulated materials exclusively within the quarantine zone must inspect vehicles and articles for any life stage of the insect before movement. Any Spotted Lanternfly found during inspection must remain within the quarantine area and be processed, treated, burned, or buried in accordance with all federal, state, and local laws. Regulated articles must be shipped within five days of inspection or treatment and safeguarded in an enclosed building or wrapped to prevent infestation.

Organizations moving materials in and out of both New Jersey and Pennsylvania quarantine zones must obtain a permit. To obtain a permit, a designated individual from the organization must receive approved training and pass an online test. Training is available online or at sessions sponsored by Penn State University Extension, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, or individuals who have participated in "Train the Trainer" programs. The permit is delivered after confirmation of passing the exam and must be kept inside agency vehicles when working within or outside the quarantine zone.

Treatment of Infested Property

Organizations are responsible for controlling or eliminating any life stage of Spotted Lanternfly on their property, vehicles, and equipment. Control methods may include physical destruction such as scraping egg masses or washing vehicles, banding, pesticide application, or removing Tree of Heaven (a host plant). All control methods must follow the Department's requirements. Organizations may treat their own property or hire a licensed pesticide applicator. The Department may, at its discretion and subject to resource availability, provide control measures on private property. Organizations must continue treating for Spotted Lanternfly as long as it exists on the property or until the quarantine is rescinded.

For More Information

Union County residents and businesses can find additional information through the New Jersey Department of Agriculture at https://www.nj.gov/agriculture/divisions/pi/prog/pests-diseases/spotted-lanternfly/ or www.badbug.nj.gov. Penn State Extension offers resources at https://extension.psu.edu/spotted-lanternfly. For permit training and testing (for businesses, municipalities, and government agencies moving materials between New Jersey and Pennsylvania), visit https://www.nj.gov/agriculture/divisions/pi/pdf/SLFPermitTraining.pdf and https://extension.psu.edu/slf-permit-training-nj.

For more information about environmental and agricultural topics affecting Union County, visit Union County Life.

FAQ

Q: What is the Spotted Lanternfly quarantine?
A: New Jersey has placed all counties under quarantine for the Spotted Lanternfly, an invasive insect that can easily spread through vehicles and equipment. The quarantine restricts movement of materials that could harbor the pest.

Q: Does the quarantine affect all of New Jersey?
A: Yes. All counties in the entire state of New Jersey are currently under Spotted Lanternfly quarantine.

Q: What items are regulated under the quarantine?
A: Regulated items include any life stage of the Spotted Lanternfly, firewood, wood packing materials, plants and plant parts, landscaping waste, outdoor household items like RVs and lawn mowers, and vehicles not stored indoors.

Q: Can I move firewood or landscaping waste across New Jersey?
A: Residents may move regulated materials if they complete a compliance checklist confirming they have inspected the items and found no Spotted Lanternfly present. The checklist is available from the New Jersey Department of Agriculture.

Q: Do I need a permit to move materials?
A: Residents do not need a permit if they complete the compliance checklist. Businesses, municipalities, and government agencies moving materials between New Jersey and Pennsylvania quarantine zones must obtain a permit that requires training and passing an online test.

Q: What should I do if I find a Spotted Lanternfly on my property?
A: Organizations are responsible for controlling or eliminating any Spotted Lanternfly on their property. Control methods include physical destruction (scraping egg masses, washing vehicles), banding, pesticide application, or removing Tree of Heaven. All methods must follow Department requirements.

Q: Where can I get the compliance checklist?
A: The compliance checklist for residents is available at https://www.state.nj.us/agriculture/divisions/pi/pdf/NJResidenceSLFChecklist.pdf.

Q: How do I obtain a permit for cross-quarantine movement?
A: Complete approved training (available online or through Penn State University Extension) and pass an online test. The permit is delivered after confirmation of passing the exam.