Last week, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) announced finding emerald ash borer (EAB) in the southwest corner of Minnesota in Nobles County. Infested trees were found in the city of Worthington right off of Interstate 90, which indicates that EAB was transported by people to that site. On its own, EAB can only fly about 1 – 2 miles a year.
This is the 19th county in Minnesota known to be infested with EAB. This invasive beetle was first found in Minnesota in 2009. Since EAB was first found in North American in 2002, it has killed hundreds of millions of ash trees and has cost hundreds of millions of dollars.
Minnesotans can help prevent the spread of EAB with these three easy steps:
For more information on EAB, see Emerald ash borer in Minnesota.
Jeffrey Hahn, Extension Entomologist
This is the 19th county in Minnesota known to be infested with EAB. This invasive beetle was first found in Minnesota in 2009. Since EAB was first found in North American in 2002, it has killed hundreds of millions of ash trees and has cost hundreds of millions of dollars.
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| Don't let this attractive beetle fool you; it is an ash tree killer. Photo: Jeff Hahn, Univ. of MN Extension |
Minnesotans can help prevent the spread of EAB with these three easy steps:
- Don’t transport firewood. Buy firewood locally from approved vendors, and burn it where you buy it;
- Be aware of the quarantine restrictions. If you live in a quarantined county, be aware of the restrictions on movement of products such as ash trees, wood chips, and firewood; and,
- Watch your ash trees for infestation. If you think your ash tree is infested, go to www.mda.state.mn.us/eab and use the “Does My Tree Have Emerald Ash Borer?” guide. Suspect infestations can be reported to MDA’s Arrest the Pest line at 1-888-545-6684 or arrest.the.pest@state.mn.us.
For more information on EAB, see Emerald ash borer in Minnesota.
Jeffrey Hahn, Extension Entomologist