Ohio Issues Statewide Quarantine for Spotted Lanternflies

New restrictions aim to combat the spread of the invasive pest across the state.

Published on Feb. 19, 2026

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The Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) has issued a statewide quarantine to combat the spread of the invasive spotted lanternfly. The quarantine requires regulated items like trees and nursery stock to be inspected and certified before being moved out of Ohio. The agency is no longer asking residents to report sightings, instead providing treatment recommendations in a management guide.

Why it matters

The spotted lanternfly poses a significant threat to Ohio's agricultural industry, particularly the state's $6 billion grape and wine sector. The statewide quarantine is an effort to limit the pest's further spread and mitigate the damage it can cause to crops and plants.

The details

Under the new quarantine order, regulated items such as trees, nursery stock, and other plant materials may not be moved out of Ohio without a compliance agreement, permit, or inspection certificate. Businesses shipping these products must have their stock inspected and certified as free of spotted lanternfly before transport.

  • The statewide quarantine took effect on February 17, 2026.
  • The spotted lanternfly was first detected in the United States in 2014 in Pennsylvania and confirmed in Ohio in 2020.

The players

Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA)

The state agency that issued the statewide quarantine to combat the spread of the invasive spotted lanternfly.

Brian Baldridge

The director of the Ohio Department of Agriculture, who stated the agency is committed to protecting and preserving the state's plant life from the harmful impacts of the spotted lanternfly.

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What they’re saying

“The spotted lanternfly is an invasive pest that is known to cause harm to Ohio's agricultural industry. ODA is committed to protecting and preserving our plant life, and plant health experts are working with nurseries and wineries to reduce the negative impact of SLF.”

— Brian Baldridge, Director, Ohio Department of Agriculture (dispatch.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This statewide quarantine highlights Ohio's efforts to proactively address the threat posed by the invasive spotted lanternfly, which could have significant economic consequences for the state's agricultural industries if left unchecked. The new restrictions aim to limit the pest's further spread and protect valuable crops and plants.