WRIGHT TOWNSHIP -- After an invasion of gypsy moth caterpillars during the summer, Luzerne County is planning a spraying program to battle the leaf-eating pests next year.
But homeowners are now learning that the cost of that spraying is much more than they expected to pay.
Luzerne County officials point out that there's no money for the spraying program, so homeowners will have to pay more if they want their property sprayed. That has some people opting out of the spraying program and preparing for another possible invasion of gypsy moth caterpillars.
Marie Garren looks forward to lying on her deck every spring and summer during her retirement. But this year, she couldn't relax outside until July, because gypsy moth caterpillars had invaded her property in Mountain Top.
"This is heavenly to me, but it has gotten ruined by the gypsy moths!" said Garren.
The gypsy moth caterpillar invasion hit in June in parts of Luzerne County. An army of the caterpillars covered walls, and damaged trees.
Garren had similar situation at her home, as did many other people in Luzerne County last spring. That's because the county did not sign up for the state's spraying program in time.
"I was shocked!" said Garren.
But Luzerne County has signed up with the state to spray for the caterpillars next year. However, the cost people will have to pay to have their properties sprayed has nearly doubled from the original estimate.
Now some, like Garren, say they can't afford it.
"I was expecting like $100, $110 for two acres. And I get $261 and that's just not fair. That's just not."
County officials explain part of the reason the price is so high this year is that federal and state funding dried up to pay for that spraying program.
"Unfortunately, this year it's either not as much or not there," said spraying coordinator Keri Skvarla.
As for Garren, she hopes lawmakers restore money to help pay for next year's spraying.
"We pay tax to the township, to the county. Everybody gets our money, but nobody wants to do anything."
Garren and her husband are choosing to fight the caterpillars alone. They plan to cut down some trees as a permanent fix and will consider hiring an independent sprayer on their own.