PIKE COUNTY, PA — More than $250,000 is still available to Pike County residents conducting aerial spraying to suppress spongy moth populations.

Through a county-wide cost share program, those conducting aerial application of at least 25 contiguous acres using Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) may be eligible to receive partial reimbursement of treatment costs. Reimbursement comes from a $400,000 grant from the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) that was recently awarded to the County.

The Pike County Commissioners’ Office began accepting applications earlier this year and continues to urge residents to apply. The sole use of the grant is to address the spongy moth infestation in the County.

Funding is available on a first-come basis and applications will be accepted until funds are exhausted. The 2025 Spongy Moth Cost-Share program application can be found on the Spongy Moth page of the County website, www.pikepa.org/spongymoth.

Program requirements

To ensure funds are distributed equitably among Pike County residents, applicants will be classified by treatment acreage and landownership.

Categories are as follows:

Category A: Homeowners Associations/Private Landowners spraying between 25 and 299 acres

Category B: Homeowners Associations/Private Landowners spraying 300+ acres

Category C: Hunt Clubs spraying 25+ acres

Category D: Businesses/Municipalities/Organizations/Other spraying 25+ acres

Approved participants are eligible for reimbursement of up to 25% of the total cost, or a reimbursement cap of $10,000 for applicants in Categories B, C, and D. Please note that approved applicants will not receive reimbursement until spraying is complete and supporting documentation is submitted.

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)

Treat via Aerial Fixed-Wing or Rotary application ONLY

Pike County Spongy Moth Task Force

The Pike County Spongy Moth Task Force is recruiting additional members. Those interested in representing their municipality on the Task Force can contact Jessica Yoder, Spongy Moth Task Force Co-Chair, at 570-296-3500 x1382 to learn more. The next meeting will be on Wednesday, March 12th at 2 p.m. in the Commissioners’ Meeting Room of the Pike County Administration Building, located at 506 Broad Street in Milford.