Spotted Lanternflies Now Cover Half of Mass. Towns
Homeowners across Massachusetts should check yards, trees, and outdoor furniture for the invasive pest this season.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Landscaping
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Would you remove spotted lanternfly egg masses from your own property this fall?
The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources confirmed 78 new spotted lanternfly communities in 2026, bringing the statewide total to 186. Infestations now cover more than half of the state's cities and towns, and homeowners across Massachusetts are being asked to watch for the pest this season.
Why it matters
The spotted lanternfly is spreading steadily across Massachusetts, from four new infestations in 2021 to 78 in 2026, so yard trees, patios, and outdoor furniture are increasingly likely to be affected. Spread is fastest in urban areas where its preferred host, the tree of heaven, grows, and that is where many Massachusetts homes sit.
MDAR confirmed 78 new spotted lanternfly communities in 2026, bringing the statewide total to 186, and Hampden County has 15 affected areas while Hampshire County has 10. Springfield and Holyoke have the largest populations in the Pioneer Valley.
The players
Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR)
The state agency that tracks spotted lanternfly infestations and runs its egg mass scraping program, and a consumer-facing resource for homeowners dealing with invasive pests.
The details
Humans spread spotted lanternflies mostly by hitchhiking, with the insects riding inside wheel wells or laying eggs on vehicles and outdoor items that are then moved. Adults are typically seen from July through December, and each egg mass holds roughly 30 to 50 eggs, with one Springfield bark piece carrying 150 to 200 egg masses. Homeowners who find egg masses on outdoor items should not scrape them into the open; they should contact MDAR or a licensed pest professional for guidance.
Timeline
2020: Spotted lanternfly arrived in Massachusetts.
2021: MDAR found four new infestations.
2023: MDAR found 43 new infestations.
Nov. 4, 2026: MDAR announced the latest community count at a quarterly meeting.
The Home Front
The rise from four new infestations in 2021 to 78 in 2026 mirrors how invasive pests have expanded into residential landscapes across the Northeast over the past decade. The pattern means yard and garden planning increasingly needs to account for pests that were not a concern for Massachusetts homeowners a few years ago.
Check trees, patios, fences, and outdoor furniture for the grayish egg masses and the spotted adults, especially from July through December. If you find an egg mass or an adult, contact MDAR or a licensed pest professional rather than attempting removal on your own.
The takeaway
Spotted lanternflies are hitching rides on vehicles and outdoor items, so checking gear and yard objects before moving them helps slow the spread. Keep the MDAR contact information on hand so you can report a sighting quickly.
Further reading
For more on protecting outdoor spaces from invasive pests, see Landscaping for practical yard and garden guidance.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Daily Hampshire Gazette.
Live Poll
Would you remove spotted lanternfly egg masses from your own property this fall?
