Everything You Need To Know About Emerald Ash Borer Treatment And Prevention

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The emerald ash borer (EAB) is a destructive tree pest that has devastated ash populations across North America. The EAB is an invasive species that was first discovered in North America in 2002. It has since spread to 35 states and 5 Canadian provinces. The EAB is responsible for the death of tens of millions of ash trees.

What is an emerald ash borer?

The emerald ash borer is a small, metallic-green beetle that is native to Asia. The adult beetles lay their eggs on the bark of the tree. When the larvae hatch, they burrow into the tree and begin to feed on the inner bark. This feeding eventually kills the tree.

What is an invasive species?

An invasive species is a plant or animal that is not native to an ecosystem, like the emerald ash borer, and causes harm to the environment. Invasive species can cause economic, environmental, and human health problems because they have no natural predators in their new ecosystems.

How can you tell if a tree has been infested with emerald ash borers?

There are several signs that a tree has been infested with emerald ash borers, including:

• D-shaped holes. The bark of the ash tree will have D-shaped holes in the bark where the adult beetles have emerged. 
• Sunken areas. As the larvae of the emerald ash borer feed on the inner bark, they create sunken areas in the outer bark.
• Splitting of the bark. The emerald ash borer larvae tunneling through the inner bark can cause the outer bark to split.
• Canopy dieback. As the emerald ash borer larvae feed on the inner bark, they disrupt the tree's ability to transport water and nutrients, which can cause the tree's leaves to turn yellow, then brown, and eventually drop off.

Is there an emerald ash borer treatment?

There is no one-size-fits-all emerald ash borer treatment for an infestation. The best course of action depends on the severity of the infestation and the health of the tree. In some cases, trees can be treated with insecticides. However, this is not a guaranteed solution and the tree may still die. In other cases, the best course of action may be to have the tree removed and destroyed.

How can you prevent emerald ash borer infestation?

There are several things you can do for emerald ash borer prevention, including:

• Inspect your ash trees regularly for signs of infestation.
• Do not move firewood from one location to another. Emerald ash borers can live in firewood and be transported to new areas, where they will infest other ash trees.
• Destroy the tree. Do not compost an infested tree, as this will only spread the emerald ash borer to other trees.

Additionally, plant a variety of trees in your yard, instead of just ash trees. This will make your yard less susceptible to infestation because the emerald ash borer will have more than one type of tree to choose from.

If you have an ash tree in your yard, be sure to inspect it regularly for signs of infestation and take action if necessary.

Contact a local emerald ash borer prevention service to learn more. 

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14 June 2022