To kill spotted lanternflies effectively, you can use several natural and chemical methods:

Natural and Homemade Solutions

• Vinegar Spray: White vinegar sprayed directly on spotted lanternflies kills them almost instantly. Use it carefully as vinegar can harm plants if sprayed on foliage

• Neem Oil: Spraying neem oil on the bugs kills them on contact. Neem oil traps can also be made to capture them around affected areas

• Dish Soap Mixture: A homemade spray of dish soap (such as Dawn), water, and vegetable oil suffocates and kills lanternflies. Mix about 1/4 cup liquid soap, 1/4 cup water, and 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a spray bottle and apply directly to the insects. This mixture can also destroy eggs

• Essential Oils: Adding tea tree, peppermint, or lavender essential oils to water and spraying on lanternflies repels and kills them due to the strong smell

• Physical Removal: Squash, stomp, or swat adult lanternflies when you see them. They are poor flyers and can be killed by hand or with a fly swatter

• Vacuuming: Use a vacuum with strong suction to collect nymphs and adults, then dispose of them in a sealed bag

• Scrape and Destroy Eggs: Scrape egg masses off surfaces with a flat tool and crush them or soak them in rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer to kill the eggs

Chemical and Other Control Methods

• Insecticides: For large infestations, contact insecticides that kill on direct contact or systemic insecticides absorbed by host trees (like Tree of Heaven) can be used. Always follow label instructions carefully for safety and effectiveness

• Trap Trees: Reducing the number of Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima), the lanternfly’s favorite host, and treating remaining trees with insecticides can help control populations

Summary

For immediate control, squashing, vinegar spray, and soapy water sprays are effective and safe for home use. For larger infestations, professional pest management or targeted insecticide use combined with habitat management (removing Tree of Heaven) is recommended. Always clean up dead bugs and eggs to prevent mold and further damage

. This integrated approach helps reduce spotted lanternfly populations and protect plants and crops from damage.