Emerald Ash Borer Kills Ash Trees

Call 866-716-9974 When You Find It

Emerald Ash Borer Adult
David Cappaert, www.forestryimages.org

Missouri's ash trees are at stake!

It's hard to believe this cute little green beetle could be so deadly. But the non-native emerald ash borer (EAB) has killed millions of ash trees in the United States since the 1990s.

If left unchecked, EAB will destroy Missouri's ash trees and the many benefits they provide: shade, wildlife habitat and millions of dollars' worth of forest products.

Three Easy Ways to Slow Its Spread

1. Don’t move firewood. Emerald ash borer travels in firewood. The easiest way to keep it from spreading is to avoid buying "exotic" firewood and/or moving it from place to place. What is exotic firewood? Any stick of wood that comes from more than 50 miles from the place it was cut. If you burn firewood in your home stove or use it for camping, cut and burn your own or make sure the wood you buy comes from a local forest. Check out this Don't Move Firewood video to find out how easy it is to slow the spread of EAB.
2. Don't plant ash trees. EAB feeds exclusively on ash trees. If you deprive them of food, they can't survive. Choose from any number of other suitable hardwoods for shade, habitat and timber.
3. Learn to identify infestations. Then call 866-716-9974. Many factors can stress ash trees, and lots of little green bugs look like EAB. Please try to make sure you've discovered EAB before you call.

Wayne County Under Quarantine as of September 3, 2008

The United States Department of Agriculture and the Missouri Department of Agriculture have placed Wayne County, Mo., under quarantine for articles related to emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis) until further notice.

Quarantined materials include the following:

• Ash nursery stock
• Any part of an ash tree, including green lumber, waste, compost, chips, etc.
• Firewood cut from any species of hardwood.

For more information about the quarantine or compliance agreements, contact the Missouri Department of Agriculture’s Collin Wamsley at (573) 751-5505, or visit the Missouri Department of Agriculture Web site.