Spotted Lanternfly inLake County, INSPOTTED LANTERNFLY GUIDE
Lake County sits on the Indiana-Illinois border and is directly adjacent to the Chicago metro, making it one of Indiana's highest-risk counties for spotted lanternfly introduction. Designated a watch zone in 2023, the county's industrial corridor through Gary, Hammond, and East Chicago — serviced by some of the nation's busiest freight rail lines — presents significant pathways for accidental SLF transport from established infestations to the east. Proximity to Chicago-area commerce further elevates introduction risk.
Highest activity zones
SLF Hotspots in Lake County, IN
Gary
Active zone
Hammond
Active zone
East Chicago
Active zone
Merrillville
Active zone
Crown Point
Active zone
Primary SLF food source
Tree of Heaven in Lake County, IN
Tree of Heaven is widespread along Lake County's railroad rights-of-way and industrial margins in Gary, Hammond, and East Chicago, as well as along the Little Calumet River corridor. Heavy freight rail traffic on the Norfolk Southern and CSX lines through northwest Indiana makes railroad-adjacent ToH stands the top monitoring priority for early SLF detection.
Identify Tree of Heaven →Local action resources
What To Do in Lake County, IN
Report a Sighting
Every sighting in Lake County, IN maps the invasion front. Report directly to Indiana State Dept of Agriculture (ISDA).
Report Now →Squish on Sight
See a spotted lanternfly? Kill it immediately — it is legal and encouraged in all states. Learn the best kill methods.
Full Fight Guide →Map ToH in Your Block
Tree of Heaven removal cuts off SLF food supply. Add ToH sightings to the community map to guide removal efforts.
View Sighting Map →Statewide resources
Full IN State Guide
County-level data, quarantine zones, treatment guides, and agency resources for the entire state.
See the full IN guide →Community intelligence
Live Sighting Map
See where SLF has been spotted near you in Lake County, IN. Add your own sighting to help map the front.
Open the Map →Free weekly fight briefing
Fight SLF in Lake County, IN.
One email per week. Your zip code. Your threat level. Your action plan. Know exactly what to do this week in Lake County, IN.