As cooler temperatures arrive, you might notice fewer adult spotted lanternflies around your property. While it’s a welcome change, this pest doesn’t simply disappear. Instead, the battle against them enters a new, critical phase. Understanding the spotted lanternfly lifecycle is key to preventing a massive infestation next spring, and winter is the perfect time to act.
The Lanternfly Lifecycle in Winter
Spotted lanternflies complete one generation per year. The colorful adults you see in late summer and fall are focused on feeding and laying eggs before the first hard frost. Once they have laid their eggs, the adult lanternflies die off. This means your winter strategy should shift from swatting adults to hunting for their egg masses.
These egg masses are the only stage of the lanternfly to survive the cold. A single mass can contain 30 to 50 eggs, so locating and destroying them now makes a significant impact on next year’s population.
Your Winter Action Plan
You can effectively disrupt the lanternfly lifecycle with a few simple steps. First, learn to identify the egg masses. They look like smears of mud or putty and are often laid on hard surfaces like trees, patio furniture, stones, and even vehicles. You can find them on almost any outdoor surface.
Next, once you find an egg mass, you need to destroy it. Take a hard, flat object like a putty knife or a credit card and scrape the mass into a plastic bag containing rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer. Be sure to apply firm pressure to crush all the eggs. Sealing the bag and disposing of it properly ensures the eggs cannot hatch.
Finally, preparing for spring is crucial. Regularly inspect your property throughout the winter, as you may find masses you missed before. By taking these proactive steps, you reduce the number of nymphs that will emerge when the weather warms up.
Contact Allison Pest Control for Lanternfly Prevention
Fighting a spotted lanternfly invasion can feel overwhelming. The team at Allison Pest Control has the expertise to help you manage these invasive pests at every stage of their lifecycle. If you’re seeing signs of lanternflies or their egg masses, contact us today for a comprehensive treatment plan.
