Toledo Woman Says Neighbor’s Invasive Tree of Heaven Is Fueling a Sticky Lanternfly Invasion
TOLEDO, Ohio — A Toledo woman says an invasive tree on a neighboring property has turned her backyard into a sticky, insect-covered mess, making it difficult to park in her driveway or sit outside comfortably.
Heather Keyes told WTVG that spotted lanternflies gathering around a neighbor’s tree of heaven are leaving behind a sticky buildup that coats her car, patio furniture and trash cans. The problem, she said, has dragged on despite repeated efforts to get help.
Both tree of heaven and spotted lanternflies are invasive species from Asia. Spotted lanternflies feed on tree of heaven, and the sticky honeydew they excrete can accumulate on cars, decks and outdoor furniture while drawing other pests.
"I can't park my car back here; I can't even sit back here. It's just so gross with everything. Not just the bugs, but the tree just drips constantly," Keyes told the outlet.
Keyes added that she has lived in the home for seven years and that the invasive tree next door was once tiny when she moved in. Now that it has grown larger, the insects have taken notice. The problem really started last year, she said, and she estimates she has already killed hundreds of the insects.
She also pointed to the toll on her neighbor. "My neighbor…can't use her backyard. It's not fair to her to not use her backyard. It's not her fault. It's not her property," Keyes told WTVG.
Instead, Keyes blames the building’s owner, Mercer Holdings 1 LLC, whose website says it handles tree trimming across its rental properties.
Her landlord has trimmed back what can be reached from her side of the property, but the problem persists. 13 Action News reached out to the company for comment. It said it was aware of the issue.
The dispute reflects a broader challenge as invasive species spread through neighborhoods. Spotted lanternflies can swarm in large numbers, and their sticky residue can make outdoor spaces unusable and damage the look of vehicles and furniture.
Other communities are already taking action. In Massachusetts, officials urged residents to destroy mud-like egg masses before lanternflies hatch. One gardener warned others to stomp invasive spotted lanternflies on sight before they spread. At New York’s Watkins Glen State Park, crews turned trees into insecticide traps near vineyards.
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