❄️ Can Spotted Lanternflies Survive the Winter?

🐞 The Truth About Lanternflies and Cold Weather

Adult spotted lanternflies (SLFs) do not survive the winter. Once temperatures drop below freezing in late fall, the adults die off naturally.

But here’s the catch: before they die, they lay hundreds of egg masses that can survive winter conditions, including ice, snow, and sub-freezing temps.

So even though you don’t see lanternflies in December or January, their next generation is quietly waiting to hatch in the spring.

🥚 How SLF Egg Masses Survive Cold

• Each female lays 2–3 masses, each with 30–50 eggs

• The masses are coated in a protective gray putty-like covering

• They can survive:

  • Subzero temperatures

  • Moisture

  • Wind exposure

• Common egg sites:

  • Firewood

  • Tree trunks

  • Outdoor furniture

  • RVs and trailers

  • Stone walls and fence posts

✅ What to Do in Winter to Stop Spring Lanternflies

Winter is the best time to destroy egg masses and prevent next year’s infestation. Here's how:

1. Inspect Outdoor Surfaces

Focus on:

• Smooth bark trees (maple, birch, walnut, etc.)

• Outdoor sheds, fences, stones, plastic bins

• Firewood you brought home from camping

2. Scrape and Destroy Egg Masses

Use a scraper card or putty knife:

• Scrape eggs into a plastic bag or container

• Fill with rubbing alcohol, hand sanitizer, or bleach solution

• Dispose safely

3. Avoid Moving Firewood Across Counties

Egg masses can hitchhike—don’t be the reason they spread.
Only buy local firewood, and inspect before stacking.

📅 Winter Lanternfly Activity Timeline

The earlier you scrape, the fewer SLFs you’ll see come May.

🧠 FAQ: Winter & Egg Mass Questions

Q: Can I trap lanternflies in winter?
A: No—adults are dead. Winter is for scraping egg masses, not trapping.

Q: Are egg masses visible in snow?
A: Yes, but harder to spot. Inspect on mild days or as snow melts from tree trunks and posts.

Q: Can egg masses survive deep snow or ice storms?
A: Yes. Their coating is durable and insulative. Scraping is your only way to stop them.

Q: Should I still check if I live in a cold state like New York or Ohio?
A: Absolutely. Egg masses are confirmed to survive winters in PA, NY, OH, NJ, VA, MD, and more.

🧠 Final Tip

Winter is your last chance to stop the 2026 swarm.

You won’t see the lanternflies—but their next generation is already here.

Scrape now, or swarm later.