For HOA boards, neighborhood associations, and block captains
Organize
Your Block
Individual action is good. Coordinated neighborhood action is 10x more effective. Spotted lanternfly doesn't respect property lines — one infested yard feeds the whole block. Coordinated neighborhood action is how you actually move the needle.
Why Coordination Matters
An SLF infestation on one property feeds the entire neighborhood. Adult SLF fly between properties at dusk. A neighbor's Tree of Heaven is your problem too. The only effective scale of action is the block, not the lot.
Fewer SLF near ToH-free properties — but ToH exists on every urban block
Nymphs from ONE block's unscraped masses (30–50 eggs × 10 properties)
Of egg masses removed by community scraping events across PA, NJ, and NY
Getting Started: 3 Types of Groups
Different organizations have different tools. Find yours and start with the best action for your group type.
HOA / Condo Association
- Has authority to require or encourage property maintenance
- Can hire a contractor for common areas and buffers
- Can allocate budget for circle traps, insecticide treatment of common ToH
- Can require disclosure of SLF activity in common areas
📋 Best first action
Agenda item at next board meeting — "Spotted Lanternfly Action Plan"
Neighborhood Association / Block Club
- No enforcement authority but high social trust
- Great for coordinating scraping events, sharing tools, posting flyers
- Nextdoor and building email lists are highly effective channels
- Low barrier to action — anyone can organize a scraping day
📧 Best first action
One-email announcement to list → "Neighborhood Scraping Day" event
Community Garden
- Direct economic stake — SLF damages crops and vegetables in severe infestations
- Can coordinate treatment of adjacent Tree of Heaven
- Great candidate for circle traps on any trees in or adjacent to the garden
- Garden members are already organized and motivated
🌿 Best first action
Garden meeting agenda item + ToH survey of the garden perimeter
The Community Scraping Event
A neighborhood egg mass scraping event is free, takes two hours, and can remove hundreds of egg masses from a single block. Here's how to run one.
Planning (2 weeks before)
- 1Pick a Saturday morning in November–March (egg mass season)
- 2Choose a 2-hour window — 9am–11am works well
- 3Create an event on Nextdoor, building app, or email list with the /flyer link
- 4Gather supplies: plastic scrapers, bags, isopropyl alcohol (ask volunteers to bring their own)
Day of
- 1Brief everyone on what to look for — use /guides/slf-biology on your phone as reference
- 2Assign sections of the block to different teams
- 3Scrape systematically: fences, lamp posts, tree bark, parking garage pillars, outdoor furniture
- 4Disposal: bags sealed with alcohol → regular trash or burn pile
After the event
- 1Count total masses collected — log in the community tracker
- 2Post to Nextdoor/social with count and photos to build momentum
- 3Report sightings from the event to /map
- 4Schedule next event: repeat in late January if you find many masses
Supplies Template — Copy for Your Email
Also share our printable flyer and the SLF biology guide so volunteers know what to look for.
Talking Points for Your Meeting
Use these exact phrases for board meetings, neighborhood association votes, or conversations with skeptical neighbors.
For Residents Who Haven't Heard of SLF
- “
Spotted lanternfly is an invasive pest confirmed in [your area] since [year]. It damages trees, vineyards, and gardens.
- “
It doesn't bite or sting. It's not dangerous to people or pets. But it causes real economic and environmental harm.
- “
The best community action is removing the egg masses it leaves on our fences and buildings during winter.
For the Board/Committee Vote
- “
I'm requesting we add a 30-minute SLF awareness item to our spring newsletter/email
- “
I'm requesting we authorize $[X] to have a contractor assess and remove Tree of Heaven from common areas
- “
I'm requesting we host a community scraping event — free, takes 2 hours, makes a real difference
Reporting for Your Community
Your community can track its own impact. Get your block on the board — report every sighting and kill from your ZIP.
Free Resources for Your Community
Share these with your list, print them for common areas, or use them in your next meeting.
Share this guide with your building list
lanternflywatch.com/guides/community-action
Running a Large Neighborhood Event?
Email community@lanternflywatch.com — we may be able to supply materials or help promote your event.
Weekly Fight Briefing
New guides, season updates, and community action ideas. Free. Personalized to your zip code.