Implement control measures using approved pesticides at priority locations to suppress the spread of spotted lanternfly

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service awarded the New Jersey Department of Agriculture $319,280 in a Cooperative Agreement (AP26PPQFO000C427) on July 16, 2026, to implement spotted lanternfly control measures at priority locations across New Jersey through July 15, 2027.

NJDA will deploy approved pesticides and mechanical control methods at seaports, airports, commuter parking lots, and high-volume shipping operations throughout northern and southern New Jersey. Priority sites in the northern region include the Port of Newark-Elizabeth, Port of Bayonne, Newark International Airport, and warehouses operated by Prologis, Cushman Wakefield, and KRE Group. Southern priorities encompass the Port of Camden, Port of Gloucester, Port of Burlington, Port of Pennsauken, Trenton Mercer Airport, and shipping warehouses in Swedesboro, West Deptford, Burlington, Vineland, Bordentown, and Salem. Treatment activities include systemic insecticide bark sprays (dinotefuran), contact insecticide broadcast sprays (bifenthrin or beta-cyfluthrin), golden pest spray oil applications to egg masses, and herbicide treatments targeting tree-of-heaven (triclopyr). During the 2025 treatment season, NJDA will treat approximately 75 parcels, 45 acres with contact insecticides, 60 trees with systemic insecticides, 100 trees with herbicide, and deploy, service, and maintain approximately 50 circle traps. Winter activities include mechanical scraping and crushing of egg masses. NJDA will also conduct outreach to businesses shipping out of state to ensure they obtain spotted lanternfly permits.

Purpose

The purpose of this agreement is to implement control measures using approved pesticides at priority locations to suppress the spread of spotted lanternfly. Priorities will include seaports, airports, commuter parking lots and high-volume shipping operations. Treatments during wintertime will include scraping and crushing of EGG masses as well as application of golden pest spray oil. In addition, high density insect trapping will be implemented to reduce populations in priority areas. New jersey department of agriculture (NJDA) staff will also reach out to businesses who ship out of state to ensure that they obtain the spotted lanternfly permit.

Activities

Njda will implement a spray program at select priority locations to slow the spread of spotted lanternfly. Priority areas in the northern half of new jersey will include the port of newark-elizabeth, port of bayonne, newark international airport, and warehouses owned by realty and logistics companies such as prologis, cushman, wakefield and KRE group. In the southern half of new jersey, focus will be on port of camden, port of gloucester, port of burlington {national gypsum), port of P ennsauken, as well as high volume shipping warehouses in swedesboro, west deptford, burlington, vineland, bordentown, and salem and trenton mercer airport. Tree-of-heaven will be targeted in these areas. Pesticides used will include systemic insecticides applied as a bark spray {dinotefuran), broadcast sprays of contact insecticides (bifenthrin or beta-cyfluthrin), golden pest spray oil (soybean oil) for EGG masses and herbicides treatments to some trees (TRICLOPYR). During the course of this cooperative agreement njda will treat approximately 75 parcels in the 2025 treatment season. Treat approximately 45 acres with contact insecticides. Treat approximately 60 trees with systemic insecticides. Treat approximately 100 trees with herbicide. Deploy, service and maintain approximately 50 circle traps. Scrape and crush approximately 50,000 EGG masses. Deliverables and expected outcomes: slow the spread of SLF through the application of pesticides and physical removal of EGG masses at select priority locations throughout the state. Use survey data to help prioritize treatment locations. Use trapping to reduce populations in priority areas as well. Increase participation in SLF permitting by businesses who ship out of state. Intended beneficiary(IES): the public in and around new jersey, growers and exporters within and outside the state of NJ. Subrecipient activities, if known or specified at the time of award: N/a