What Can You Do About EAB?

Currently, there is no proven treatment to completely control EAB.  In Michigan, Ohio, Indiana and Ontario (in these areas, EAB is more widespread at this time), the common eradication response has been the removal of all EAB infested ash trees and surrounding EAB host trees within 1 mile of all known-infested trees.   

Pursuant to the Illinois Insect Pest and Plant Disease Act and the EAB Nuisance Declaration signed by Agriculture Director Charles Hartke on July 19, 2006, the IDA is allowed certain regulatory authorities regarding EAB.  The IDA has been conducting destructive, bark peeling surveys in and around known EAB-confirmed areas in Kane and north Cook Counties to help determine the extent of the EAB infestation.  Such a survey consists of selecting a certain number of ash trees in a particular area and then the complete or partial removal of these trees.  Once this is completed, all bark is removed from the tree and the underlying wood examined in an effort to locate EAB larvae, larval galleries or other evidence of EAB infestation.     

Because EAB is difficult to detect until it has already done its damage and will have taken flight to another host tree, control and eradication will be a long, exhaustive and expensive process for the state and local municipalities.  Local governments should prepare for the possible arrival of EAB within your own communities and are encouraged to begin your strategy now to identify, coordinate, budget for and reduce the quantity of your ash tree population.  Local governments are encouraged to start now by considering the following:  

         Conduct a thorough inventory of all trees in the community; 

        Evaluate the health of all trees in community, especially ash trees, and examine them for symptoms of EAB-infestation such as decline, crown dye-back, D-shaped exit holes, excess woodpecker damage, basal sprouting, and larval galleries;

         Remove diseased or declining ash trees and conduct bark-stripping activities on those trees to detect larva and or larval galleries;   

         Adopt a diversified species reforestation strategy whereby newly planted trees are made up of a number of different species rather than only one or two species;   

         Review tree limb and branch collection programs and determine where such materials are currently being disposed of ? if you are located within an EAB-quarantined area, make sure that any contractors or disposal yards have a current IDA EAB compliance agreement in place; and   

         Consider the adoption of a community ash reduction strategy whereby ash trees on public lands and rights-of-way are removed and replaced with a variety of species. Refer to IDA's community action plan brochure.  Also, here is a copy of IDNR's community readiness plan

Additionally, communities are encouraged to assign a coordinator to work with the state and federal governments as well as tree removal contractors.  The community coordinator should also begin arranging public outreach efforts to keep residents informed of the issues and status regarding EAB within your communities.    

Homeowners should also prepare for the possible arrival of EAB within their own backyards.  They can best prepare by keeping informed regarding the location of any local EAB-infestations and periodically examining their trees.  If any signs of an EAB-infestation are suspected, homeowners are urged to contact a municipal forester, a local arborist, the local University of Illinois Extension office or another local expert.  If, after consultation with a local expert, an EAB infestation is suspected, you should contact the Illinois Department of Agriculture at 1-800-641-3934.   

It is important to note that EAB is most attracted to unhealthy or stressed trees.  Ash trees can be treated with chemicals to temporarily stave off the beetle, but it can be costly, requires continual, annual application, and does not guarantee immunity to the pest.  Ash tree removal is still the best preventative to EAB and will be necessary should you have an EAB-infested tree.  Dead or dying trees become a public safety issue and require removal.