Emerald Ash Borer
Emerald Ash Borer
An invasive insect first found in North America in 2002, Emerald Ash Borer has destroyed millions of ash trees in Ohio and neighboring states. The voracious beetle, which only attacks true ash trees in the Fraxinus genus, has been confirmed in most Midwestern and eastern U.S. states and in Canada.
"Our understanding of how EAB can be managed successfully with insecticides has increased substantially in recent years,” said Dr. Dan Herms, an entomologist formerly with the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center (OARDC) and OSU Extension.
Most counties in Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky are currently infested or becoming infested. If your ash tree is already infested and has lost more than 50 percent of its canopy it is probably too late to try to save it. 30% canopy thinning seems to be the threshold where treatment goes from almost certain success to more marginal.
Treatment Methodology
By far the most effective treatment Arbor Doctor has found for Emerald Ash Borer is the professionally injected Treeage (Emmamectin Benzoate), only available through professional applicators such as Arbor Doctor, which is effective for three years. Small holes are drilled into the base of the tree, ports are inserted, and the insecticide is injected into the tree through the ports.
There are also soil applied treatments. These tend to be most effective on smaller trees and must be applied annually which often makes then as expensive or more expensive.
Why treat?
Landscape trees have benefits such as increasing property value, providing shade and cooling, and increasing the quality of life in a neighborhood so there are many factors to take into account when making this decision.
Another good resource is the Insecticide Options for Protecting Ash Trees From Emerald Ash Borer Fact Sheet, by the North Central IPM Center. Don’t wait any longer; take this opportunity to schedule a tree evaluation. Contact Arbor Doctor today.
