Spotted Lanternfly inSussex County, NJSPOTTED LANTERNFLY GUIDE
Sussex County is New Jersey's most rural and elevated county — entered the SLF watch zone in 2020 as populations advanced west and north from the established Morris and Warren County zones. Newton is the county seat. The Appalachian Trail traverses the length of the county from High Point State Park — the highest point in New Jersey — southward to the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, concentrating hiker and visitor traffic from established SLF zones along one of the most ecologically significant trail corridors in the East. The county's numerous rural lake communities drive significant recreational vehicle traffic throughout the summer season, with visitors arriving from heavily infested northern New Jersey and New York metro areas. Mountain Creek ski resort generates substantial winter vehicle traffic from established SLF zones, creating seasonal introduction risk throughout the ski season.
Highest activity zones
SLF Hotspots in Sussex County, NJ
Appalachian Trail corridor (High Point to Delaware Water Gap)
Active zone
High Point State Park (highest elevation in NJ)
Active zone
Delaware Water Gap NRA adjacent access roads
Active zone
Rural lake community vehicle corridors
Active zone
Ski resort transport vectors (Mountain Creek area)
Active zone
Primary SLF food source
Tree of Heaven in Sussex County, NJ
Tree of Heaven is present along Sussex County's I-80 corridor and road margins near the Delaware Water Gap, as well as along secondary roads connecting lake community access routes throughout the county's rural interior. The Appalachian Trail approach corridors and High Point State Park access roads have Ailanthus populations at the forest-road edge that raise concerns about SLF establishment in the county's highest-elevation habitats. Delaware Water Gap NRA adjacent access roads and Mountain Creek ski resort approach corridors are priority monitoring zones as vehicle traffic from established infestation zones to the south and east represents the primary ongoing SLF introduction risk for this watch-zone county.
Identify Tree of Heaven →Local action resources
What To Do in Sussex County, NJ
Report a Sighting
Every sighting in Sussex County, NJ maps the invasion front. Report directly to NJ Department of Agriculture.
Report Now →Squish on Sight
See a spotted lanternfly? Kill it immediately — it is legal and encouraged in all states. Learn the best kill methods.
Full Fight Guide →Map ToH in Your Block
Tree of Heaven removal cuts off SLF food supply. Add ToH sightings to the community map to guide removal efforts.
View Sighting Map →Statewide resources
Full NJ State Guide
County-level data, quarantine zones, treatment guides, and agency resources for the entire state.
See the full NJ guide →Community intelligence
Live Sighting Map
See where SLF has been spotted near you in Sussex County, NJ. Add your own sighting to help map the front.
Open the Map →Free weekly fight briefing
Fight SLF in Sussex County, NJ.
One email per week. Your zip code. Your threat level. Your action plan. Know exactly what to do this week in Sussex County, NJ.