Published July 2026 | Sources: USDA APHIS, Cornell University IPM, Fox Weather, University of Maryland Extension, National Invasive Species Information Center
Bengal Yard & Patio Mosquito Fogger is now labeled to kill Spotted Lanternflies. This powerful outdoor fogger kills on contact and creates a barrier around your yard, patio, deck, and landscaping — keeping spotted lanternflies, mosquitoes, and other outdoor pests away from the spaces where you live. If you’ve spotted these invasive pests on your property, don’t wait. Pick up Bengal Yard & Patio Mosquito Fogger at your local retailer today.
If you haven’t heard of the spotted lanternfly yet, you will soon. This invasive pest has been spreading rapidly across the United States since it was first detected in Pennsylvania in 2014 — and as of 2026, it has been confirmed in more than 21 states, with populations continuing to expand. Whether you’re a homeowner, a gardener, or a property owner with trees and landscaping, here’s what you need to know.
What Is the Spotted Lanternfly?
The spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) is an invasive planthopper native to China, India, and Vietnam. Despite its name, it is not a true fly — it is a leafhopping insect that travels primarily by hitchhiking. According to Cornell University’s Integrated Pest Management Program, it is believed to have arrived in the United States as egg masses on a stone shipment, with the first infestation discovered in Berks County, Pennsylvania in 2014.
As adults, spotted lanternflies are visually striking — about an inch long with tan wings covered in black spots, and bright red underwings. But their appearance is deceptive: these insects are voracious feeders that can cause serious damage to trees, crops, and outdoor spaces.
Why Are They a Problem?
Spotted lanternflies feed by piercing plant stems and sucking out sap — and they are not picky eaters. According to the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), they pose a serious economic threat to multiple U.S. industries including viticulture, fruit trees, ornamental plants, and timber. Grapevines are particularly vulnerable — heavy feeding can weaken and eventually kill a vine entirely.
As they feed, spotted lanternflies excrete a sticky, sugary substance called “honeydew.” This coats driveways, patio furniture, outdoor equipment, grills, siding, and plants — and it grows a black sooty mold that can block sunlight from reaching leaves and stifle photosynthesis. According to the Maryland Department of Agriculture, the mold can cause near-permanent damage to landscaping and prevent crops from being marketable.
They also spread fast. According to Fox Weather, each female lays one to two egg masses per season, each containing 30 to 60 eggs, camouflaged to look like dried mud. Those egg masses are laid on almost any outdoor surface — vehicles, fence posts, outdoor furniture, tires, light fixtures, and more — making it easy for lanternflies to hitchhike into new areas without anyone noticing.
How Far Have They Spread?
When the spotted lanternfly arrived in South Korea in 2004, it spread throughout the entire country — roughly the size of Pennsylvania — in just three years. In the U.S., despite quarantine efforts, the insect has now been confirmed in more than 21 states as of mid-2026, including New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, Georgia, and Illinois, with new sightings being reported regularly as populations continue to expand.
According to a 2026 study published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B by NYU researchers, cities may actually be accelerating the spotted lanternfly’s spread by acting as “evolutionary incubators” — helping the insect adapt to heat, pollution, and pesticides faster than it would in rural environments.
What Can You Do?
The USDA recommends these steps to help slow the spread:
• Check your vehicle, outdoor furniture, grills, and equipment for egg masses before traveling from an infested area
• Scrape any egg masses you find into a sealed plastic bag with hand sanitizer and dispose of them
• Report sightings to your state department of agriculture
• Treat your yard and outdoor spaces with a labeled insecticide to eliminate active populations
On that last point — Bengal has you covered with a newly labeled solution.
Bengal Yard & Patio Mosquito Fogger is now labeled to kill Spotted Lanternflies. This powerful outdoor fogger kills on contact and creates a barrier around your yard, patio, deck, and landscaping — keeping spotted lanternflies, mosquitoes, and other outdoor pests away from the spaces where you live. If you’ve spotted these invasive pests on your property, don’t wait. Pick up Bengal Yard & Patio Mosquito Fogger at your local retailer today.
Sources: USDA APHIS Spotted Lanternfly Program (aphis.usda.gov) | Cornell University Integrated Pest Management, Spotted Lanternfly Distribution Map (cals.cornell.edu) | Fox Weather, Millions of Spotted Lanternflies Could Plague New York City This Year (April 2026) | University of Maryland Extension / Maryland Matters (October 2025) | NYU / Proceedings of the Royal Society B (February 2026) | National Invasive Species Information Center (invasivespeciesinfo.gov)