Understanding the Threat of Emerald Ash Borer (EAB)
Protecting Your Ash Trees from the Destructive Pest Emerald Ash Borer (EAB)
Emerald ash borers are invasive beetles that threaten ash trees, causing significant damage that often leads to tree death.
Since the pest’s arrival in the U.S. in 2002, it has spread to multiple states, including Missouri and Kansas.
Infestations show up as crown dieback, bark splits, and D-shaped exit holes on the tree’s surface. If left untreated, these pests can quickly destroy your trees.
At Martz Bros. Lawn and Tree Doctor, we provide specialized treatment plans utilizing a no drill system, that not only protects your ash trees from emerald ash borers but also follows the Hippocratic Oath of “doing no harm” to the trees. The “no drill Wedgle” system provides the same proven systemic chemical protection without being invasive to the tree allowing annual treatments preventing gaps in protection against EAB.
It’s not just about protecting your trees; it’s also about preventing them from being removed by your local city authorities. Many cities have policies that require the removal of ash trees regardless of infestation with emerald ash borers. To help save your trees from being included in the city’s cleanup efforts, we work directly with local leaders to implement treatments that are recognized and accepted by the city. This proactive approach helps ensure those ash trees are protected and stay on your property, providing continued benefit and shade for our future generations.
If you have ash trees, it’s crucial to act now and get them treated. Our team will assess your trees, develop a treatment plan, and coordinate with the city to keep your landscape thriving and free from the threat of pest-related removal.
Symptoms & Diagnosis
Dead and or dying branches in the upper canopy of ash trees are generally the first sign of an infestation. Small 1/8 inch diameter, D-shaped holes may be seen in the bark where adult beetles have emerged. When bark is removed sawdust-filled tunnels or galleries are present where the insect larvae have been feeding. ½ inch whitish larvae may be seen in the tunnels. Adult beetles are a slender, ½ to 5/8 inch-long, with bright emerald-green wing covers. Woodpeckers feeding on ash trees excavating holes to harvest the burrowing larvae can also be an indicator that an ash tree is infested.
Life Cycle
The insect completes its life cycle in one year to two years. Adults begin emerging in late May or early June with their peak in late June. Adults remain active for about three to six weeks while they feed on ash foliage where they cause only minimal damage. Females mate and lay eggs on the bark surface, in cracks and crevices, or just under the outer bark of ash trees. The young larvae hatch in 2-3 weeks and tunnel beneath the bark to reach the tree’s cambium where they feed until fall. The pest overwinters as a larva. Pupation occurs in April or May. Adults emerge in late May or early June, initiating a new brood.
Integrated Pest Management Strategies
1. Keep your tree healthy. Keeping a plant healthy and growing vigorously is always good insurance and may buy you some extra time to help an infested tree, but unlike other hardwood borers, emerald ash borer will attack healthy trees.
2. Don’t transport the pest. One of the major ways this pest has spread is by people transporting firewood from place to place. An infested ash may have died and been cut up for firewood in one state or area and then someone transported it to another area. When the adults emerge, they infest ash trees in the new area. Don’t transport firewood. Use only clean, local firewood.
3. Monitor your trees. Little may be done to save your tree once it is infested but by close monitoring you may be able to notify pest control agencies so your tree can be correctly removed and disposed of to help prevent the insects from spreading to other trees in your yard or neighborhood.
4. Use preventative insecticides. Once the insect has been identified in your yard or area preventative insecticidal sprays may provide some protection. There are multiple types of applications available to control this pest. Request a house call from the Tree Doctor to see which would work best for you!
5. Contact a certified arborist for advice on valuable trees. Valuable trees are probably best placed under the care of a certified arborist. They are most likely to be aware of current treatments which may require a certified applicator and can help you evaluate the cost of protection with the value of your tree.
Why Martz Bros. Lawn and Tree Doctor?
Expert Diagnosis
Our certified arborists are trained to identify early signs of Emerald Ash Borer infestations, even before visible symptoms appear, ensuring timely and effective intervention.
Proven Treatment Methods
We utilize industry-leading techniques, including trunk injections with systemic insecticides that target the pest without harming the environment, offering long-lasting protection for your trees.
Customized Care Plans
Every tree is unique. We develop tailored treatment strategies based on the size, health, and location of your ash trees to maximize effectiveness.
Protect your ash trees from devastating infestations.
