One Toledo woman says an invasive tree on a neighboring property has turned her backyard into a sticky, bug-covered mess, making it difficult for her to park in her driveway or sit outside comfortably.
She said the issue has now dragged on despite repeated efforts to get help.
Here's what to know
In comments to WTVG, Toledo resident Heather Keyes said spotted lanternflies around a neighbor's tree of heaven are creating a sticky buildup that is getting on her car, patio furniture, and trash cans.
Both the tree of heaven and the spotted lanternflies are invasive species from Asia, and spotted lanternflies feed on the tree of heaven.
"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 to WTVG 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's larger, the insects have taken notice, with the problem really starting last year. Keyes estimated that she has already killed hundreds of these insects.
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She also explained to WTVG: "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." Instead, Keyes blames the building's owner, Mercer Holdings 1 LLC, whose website said it handles tree trimming across its rental properties.
Her landlord has trimmed back what can be reached from her side of the property. Yet, the problem persists.
13 Action News reached out to the company for comment, and it said that it was aware of the issue.
Where can I learn more?
Here are a few stories about how homeowners, gardeners, and parks are dealing with spotted lanternflies and other invasive yard pests.
• 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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