| Emerald Ash Borer (Courtesy of USDA Animal & Plant Health Inspection Services) Symptoms and Treatment: Although you can’t always spot it, the beetle may live in cut wood such as firewood. You can help stop the beetle by not moving firewood. Moving firewood can spread the beetle, its larvae and its eggs to healthy trees. Burn your firewood where you buy it. Adult beetles are most active during the summer and early fall. If you see the beetle or any signs of infestation, you need to report it immediately. (Contact your local U.S. Department of Agriculture Office.) During the late summer, fall and winter months, the beetle’s larvae tunnel deep into the trees they infest.The Signs: Since the beetle is difficult to spot, you can look for signs of infestation. Canopy Dieback  Canopy dieback begins at the top of the tree and progresses throughout the year until the tree is bare. Epicormic Shoots: Sprouts grow from roots and trunk.Bark Splitting: Vertical bark splits expose S-shaped galleries beneath the bark. S-shaped Galleries and D-shaped Exit Holes: Galleries under the bark reveal the back and forth feeding pattern of the EAB larvae. Adults emerge from D-shaped exit holes. Treatment: The following insecticides for professional use have been shown to be effective against the Emerald Ash-Borer either as a soil drench or as a tree injectible. (Read the full report of insecticide treatment and their rate of effectiveness by following the link below.)http://www.emeraldashborer.info/files/Multistate_EAB_Insecticide_Fact_Sheet.pdf 1. Merit® (75WP, 75WSP, 2F) (Imidacloprid) – Use as soil injection or drench. Mid-fall and/or mid-to late spring. Merit® also is available as a trunk injectible.2. XytectTM (2F, 75WSP) (Imidacloprid) – Soil injection or drench Mid-fall and/or mid-to late spring. 3. IMA-jet® (Imidacloprid) – Trunk injection Early May to mid-June. 4. Imicide® (Imidacloprid) – Trunk injection Early May to mid-June. 5. TREE-ägeTM (Emamectin benzoate) – Trunk injection Early May to mid-June. While relatively expensive, this product has shown to be the most effective chemical treatment to combat the Emerald Ash Borer according to studies by the Michigan State University and others. 6. Inject-A-Cide B® (Bidrin®) – Trunk injection Early May to mid-June. *Homeowner Use – Bayer Advanced Tree & Shrub Insect Control -(Imidacloprid) Soil drench – Mid-fall or mid-to late spring. |
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