What is an Emerald Ash Borer?
The Emerald Ash Borer is a very small, but very destructive beetle. Metallic green in color, its slender body measures 1/2 inch long and 1/8 inch wide. The average adult beetle can fit easily on a penny.
What does it do?
Adults do little actual damage, mostly feeding on leaves. Adults can fly up to 1/2 mile from tree to tree. Females lay eggs in bark crevices. Emerald Ash Borer larvae bore into the tree and feed beneath the bark, creating "s-shaped tunnels." It's this tunneling and feeding that kills the tree. Also it is easily transported in firewood.
What trees are affected?
Emerald Ash Borer attacks only attacks Ash Trees (Fraxinus Spp.), including Green, White, Black and Blue Ash. Mountain Ash is not a true Ash and therefore not a risk.
Signs and symptoms
- Dead branches near top of tree
- Leafy shoots growing out from lower trunk
- D-shaped exit holes and bark splits exposing S-shaped tunnels
- Woodpecker activity
Are infected trees treatable with pesticides?
Pesticides can serve as a control measure for the Emerald Ash Borer, but they are not a cure. Homeowners can purchase an insecticide containing MERIT, available at our retail stores, or have their trees treated by state certified applicators. The cost for the latter is much higher. In Emerald Ash Borer infested areas, even treated trees are likely to become infested with the Emerald Ash Borer as populations increase. An Emerald Ash Borer infestation is always fatal to Ash Trees. Infested trees die from the top down and will be dead in 1 to 3 years.
What can I do to stop the spread of the Emerald Ash Borer?
Don't move firewood. Emerald Ash Borer larvae can survive hidden under the bark of firewood. Buy local only!! Visually inspect your ash trees.