REYNOLDSBURG, Ohio (AVC News) — The Ohio Department of Agriculture is offering grants to help communities combat the invasive spotted lanternfly and its primary host plant, the tree of heaven.
A limited number of grants of up to $15,000 are available to state and local government agencies, parks systems and nonprofit organizations with experience managing invasive plants or pests. Applicants must provide a 10% in-kind match, and priority will be given to organizations working in areas with the highest spotted lanternfly populations.
Grant-funded projects may include removing tree-of-heaven plants, treating the plants with herbicides to prevent regrowth, applying targeted insecticides, identifying and removing spotted lanternfly egg masses, and conducting community education efforts.
Universities and extension offices are not eligible for the grants.
“The invasive spotted lanternfly continues to spread in Ohio,” ODA Director Brian Baldridge said. “ODA is committed to working with our local communities to take action against SLF.”
The funding is being provided through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
Applications are due Sept. 30. This is the second round of community funding made available through the program.
Spotted lanternfly was first detected in Ohio in Jefferson County in 2020 and has since spread to additional areas of the state. The invasive insect can threaten crops including grapes, hops and stone fruits.
The insect primarily feeds on tree of heaven, an invasive plant that commonly grows along transportation corridors such as railroads and highways, which can contribute to the pest’s spread.
ODA said it is no longer encouraging individual spotted lanternfly sightings because the insect is now established in parts of Ohio. Residents can find treatment recommendations for spotted lanternfly on private property through the department’s management guide.
Last Updated on September 2, 2026 by AVC News
