Summer is here and now’s the time when all sorts of bugs will be showing up on your property. One of those may be the Emerald Ash Borer; here’s what you need to know about this little pest.
What Is An Emerald Ash Borer?
The Emerald Ash Borer is a certain type of borer, an insect larva that feeds on the woody parts of a tree, including buds, twigs, trunks, and roots. Many beetles and moths begin as larva wood borers until they are fully grown after 1-2 years. Eggs are laid in cracks in the bark of trees, and once they hatch they will spend their developing years under the bark. They will funnel into the tree, and once they are fully grown, they will chew through the bark and emerge as an adult. Afterward, the cycle will repeat, as they will fly to new host trees, mate, and lay eggs.
At first, there will be little to no visible signs that an Emerald Ash Borer has taken root in your tree. Looking for things like canopy dieback and yellowing will alert you to whether or not the damage is minimal and treatment can still help. Our arborists look for a certain percentage of dieback to gauge whether or not the tree can be saved.
Where Can They Be Found?
Emerald Ash Borer is native to Asia and arrived in North America in 2002. It has spread to many states, even as far as Colorado and Texas, and has devastated multitudes of Ash trees along the way. These insects cut off and suck up nutrients from the tree, leaving physical damage particularly to the canopy region. We typically see them attacking Ash trees in the Charlotte, North Carolina region; however, there is a new development that shows Emerald Ash Borers moving over to White Fringe and Olive trees as well, which means they may be moving further south.
Most borers are “secondary pests,” and are attracted to trees that have been weakened by drought, injury, or disease. This is why it is important to keep your trees as healthy as possible. A healthy tree can more readily fight off infection and insect attacks. Our certified arborists and qualified technicians have the skill and knowledge to combat these pests and keep your property looking vibrant.
Contact us and let us help you keep the trees and shrubs on your property strong and healthy.
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