County shares details on spongy moth cost-share program

Pike County will begin accepting applications for its new spongy moth suppression cost-sharing program starting January 6. The new program was made possible by a $400,000 grant awarded to the county in November through the state Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Economic Development Initiatives Program. The grant was issued to help address the county’s spongy moth infestation.

The county-wide spongy moth cost-share program will be open to those conducting “aerial application of bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), a microbiome naturally found in soil used to suppress spongy moth caterpillar populations and to minimize defoliation and the secondary impacts of these invasive caterpillars,” the county explained. Applicants who meet the conditions to participate will be reimbursed a portion of the treatment costs.

According to the county’s announcement, applicants will be classified by acreage and landownership “to ensure funds are distributed equitably among Pike County residents taking proactive measures to help eradicate spongy moth.” Approved applicants are eligible for reimbursement of up to 25%, or a reimbursement cap of $10,000 for those in Categories B, C, and D (see below).

Categories:

Category A: Homeowners associations and private landowners spraying between 25 and 299 acres.

Category B: Homeowners associations and private landowners spraying more than 300 acres.

Category C: Hunting clubs spraying at least 25 acres.

Category D: Businesses/municipalities/organizations/other spraying at least 25 acres.

To be partially reimbursed, applicants must:

• Submit an application (along with supporting documentation, including proof of contract from an aerial sprayer licensed to work in Pennsylvania, map of the spray block, etc.)

• Be a minimum treatment area of 25 contiguous acres

• Treat only with Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt)

• Be treated via aerial fixed-wing or rotary application only

Those applying on behalf of a homeowners association must be an authorized agent of the community.

The 2025 spongy moth cost-share program will begin accepting applications for partial reimbursement on January 6, 2025, at 9 a.m. The application can be found on the Spongy Moth page of the County website: pikepa.org/spongymoth. The county said applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis, until funds are exhausted.

Approved applicants will not receive reimbursement until after spraying is complete, around May 2025, and will need to submit a final paid invoice and a map of the flight path from the certified aerial sprayer.

The county stressed that concerned landowners should act now to protect their trees next spring, as aerial applicators need to order supplies months in advance.

Mitigation resources for landowners, including a list of approved aerial applicators can be found on the county website.

Pike County Spongy Moth Task Force

The Pike County Spongy Moth Task Force is recruiting additional members. Anyone interested in representing their municipality on the task force may contact Spongy Moth Task Force Co-Chair Jessica Yoder at 570-296-3500, ext. 1382.