The emerald ash borer (EAB), scientific name Agrilus planipennis Fairmare, also known as the ash beetle, an emerald beetle, comes from northeastern Asia and was discovered in 2009 in Minnesota. This species of beetle is invasive and only attacks ash trees. Unfortunately, the emerald ash borer is here to stay in Minnesota; but fortunately Warner’s has been treating emerald ash borer for years, with a 100% success rate. Preventative treatments are the ONLY way to ensure the safety of your ash trees. Learn how to identify EABs and notice the early signs of infestation. Contact Warner’s to save your ash trees from emerald beetles today.
Identifying Emerald Ash Borer
Knowing what the emerald ash borer looks like is important in determining if you have an infestation. This insect is about 3/8” to 5/8” long and metallic green in color. With the wings spread you’ll notice the upper abdomen is bright red. Other species of beetles can look similar and can be easily misidentified. Contact Warner’s if you are unsure if your ash trees are in danger.
Signs of EAB Damage
D-shaped exit holes are one of the first signs that the adults have now exited the tree. If infested, the top 1/3 of the canopy of your ash trees will lose their leaves due to ash borer larvae under the bark disrupting the flow of water up the tree. The emerald ash borer will cause branches of your trees to die off and become more susceptible to falling, which can cause bodily harm. If your ash tree’s leaves begin to die from the tip of the branches toward the trunk, your tree has a condition called dieback. If so, it’s too late to treat the tree.
Emerald Ash Borer Life Cycle
The lifecycle of an emerald ash borer depends on the weather — they need warmer weather to mature and take flight.
- The EAB lays eggs in the summer, between June and August, on the outer bark of ash trees
- Eggs hatch in about two weeks and the larvae drill holes through the bark
- From June/August until the next May through September, the mature EABs drill out from the trees and take flight — this is known as flight season
- The mature EABs begin the cycle over by laying eggs on ash trees, completing a generation every one to two years
Emerald Ash Borers in Minnesota
Emerald ash borers were first discovered in the United States in the early 2000, and experts believe they were transferred here inside wood packing materials from Asia. They were first discovered in the Detroit, Mich., area and since then, they have spread to 35 states, including Minnesota.
According to University of Minnesota Extension, EAB has been confirmed in 17 Minnesota counties. If you have ash trees within 15 miles of a known infected site, you might already have EAB. Schedule a consultation with Warner’s Outdoor Solutions, and we’ll evaluate your trees.
EAB Treatment Cost
You can buy EAB treatment and do it yourself, however, there are several things you must know before you try to do this yourself:
- Do not move the wood. Don’t use it for camping, and don’t transport it offsite to be used as firewood. EAB-infested ash tree wood must be cut and burned where it is cut down.
- Check the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s EAB map to learn whether you are in an EAB quarantine.
- The MN Department of Agriculture recommends that trees larger than 15 inches be treated by professionals.
- Treatment is not one-and-done; you will need to treat and retreat on a regular basis, indefinitely.
DIY EAB treatments can cost about $20 to $50 per tree per treatment, and the amount of treatment you use depends on the diameter of the tree. Trees bigger than 15 inches should be treated by professionals. You’ll need to follow the state’s recommendations for retreatment.
NOTE: Due to the stubborn nature of the emerald ash borer and the speed with which it infests ash trees, Warner’s Outdoor Solutions no longer does soil drenching. We recommend bark injections for infested trees.
Facts About EAB in Minnesota
- This beetle only attacks ash trees and is their number one threat.
- It has killed millions of ash trees in North America.
- Woodpeckers could be a sign of EAB infestation as they like their larvae.
- History suggests the beetle came from wood packing material in Asia.
- If you lose your ash trees, the real estate value of your property can decrease by thousands of dollars.
Minnesota EAB Map
Additional Service Suggestions to Complement Emerald Ash Borer Control:
