The Lanternfly Outbreak Is Exploding Across Ohio and It Looks Like It's Going to Get Even Worse

CLEVELAND, Ohio — The invasive spotted lanternfly continues its aggressive spread across Ohio, with the Ohio Department of Agriculture confirming populations in five new counties this year alone. First reported in Cleveland in 2021, the insect has now reached what officials describe as a nuisance level in the city.

“Right now, I think we’re seeing a mix of the nymphs and the adults, depending on where you are in the state,” said Ohio Department of Agriculture Inspection Manager Jonathan Shields. “In the Cleveland area, I’d say you probably have a mix of those late, red and black nymphs, and the adults. But they haven’t begun to lay their egg masses yet.”

The newly affected counties in 2025 include Huron, Washington, Scioto, Clark and Henry, expanding the list of regions likely to face quarantine restrictions next year. Currently, 18 counties in Ohio are under quarantine, including Cuyahoga County, due to the insect's rapid dispersion by hitchhiking on vehicles and outdoor items.

Shields urged residents to take personal action to control the pest. “We’re encouraging people in those areas to do what they can to manage it,” he said. “To take matters into their own hands.”

Management strategies promoted by the Ohio Department of Agriculture include stomping, spraying, vacuuming and scraping off egg masses. Residents are advised to consult expert sources for safe treatment methods, as some do-it-yourself solutions may harm plants.

Originally from Asia, the spotted lanternfly was first identified in the U.S. in Pennsylvania in 2014 and likely entered via a stone shipment in 2012. It feeds on the sap of over 100 plant species, including grapevines, maples, and black walnut trees. Though it does not sting or bite, its sugary waste attracts stinging insects and promotes sooty mold, creating an unpleasant outdoor environment.

“Their feeding on sap, generating this waste, and the sticky liquid can have some detrimental effects just on its own,” Shields said. “It can also attract stinging insects...and promote the growth of sooty mold.”

While early fears centered on potential damage to Ohio’s $8 billion grape industry, existing treatments have so far helped growers limit harm. However, homeowners continue to face escalating issues, with infestations producing large numbers of pests and sticky residue that damages surfaces and draws in insects.

Cleveland Metroparks has been removing the invasive Tree of Heaven, the lanternfly’s preferred host, since 2020. Staff and volunteers have also been destroying egg masses and mapping infested areas as part of early detection efforts.

Community members experiencing infestations have turned to improvised control methods. One northern Ohio resident described using ammonia and alcohol to kill collected lanternflies and smashing survivors when needed. Others reported varying success with rubbing alcohol and DIY traps.

Quarantine measures remain key in slowing the spread. Regulated articles such as firewood, live plants, and vehicles must be inspected and certified before leaving infested areas. The Ohio Department of Agriculture continues to advise residents to inspect outdoor items and remove host plants like the Tree of Heaven from their properties.

As adult lanternflies emerge and begin laying eggs in the coming months, the spread is expected to intensify. Shields emphasized continued public vigilance and action, saying, “That, and just the number of insects that are in your business while you’re outside.”

Downtown Cleveland and nearby lakefront areas are seeing a sharp rise in emerging adult lanternflies, with trends indicating the infestation is likely to worsen before the season ends.

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