Emerald Ash Borer Radio Commercials
Have you heard the radio commercials about the emerald ash borer insecticide treatments? This means two things. Either the EAB is an immediate threat to ash trees or the insecticide company is taking a profit making opportunity by advertising. There is a little truth in both. Your course of action depends on where you live in the Front Range. Next, get informed about the EAB. A good source for tree health information is the Colorado State Extension Service. They recommend a straightforward four step approach to tree pest management.
Step One – Tree Identification
Ash trees are common in the Front Range and make up about 15 percent of the tree canopy. This equates to over a million ash trees between Fort Collins and Colorado Springs. Ash tree branches and buds are directly across from each other. The leaves are compound and composed of 5-11 leaflets. Ash tree bark has diamond-shaped ridges and is grey or silver in color.
Step Two – Tree Insect Identification
The emerald ash borer is a wood boring beetle from Asia. Its body is bullet shaped with green metallic wing covers. Front Range and Denver homeowners who see suspicious green beetle infestations in trees should call their local Colorado State University extension service immediately. Unfortunately, it is not the beetle that damages Ash trees. It is their larvae, which cannot been seen since they hind behind the bark eating away at the tree’s vascular system.
Step 3 – EAB Location
The EAB was found in Boulder in 2013. Boulder County foresters have done a great job containing the EAB. If you live in Boulder and have mature high value ash trees, it is prudent to call a tree service company and get them treated. To date, no known EAB infestations have been found outside Boulder County. The bug is now is Superior which is half way between Boulder and Denver. Let’s face it, the rest of Colorado is just one truck load of infected ash firewood away from an EAB infestation.
Step 4- Preventive EAB Treatment
If property owners value their ash trees, it is time to treat them. Ash trees are infested by other tree insects common to Colorado such as the Lilac Ash Borer, Redheaded Ash Borer and Ash Bark Beetles. Homeowners who see sawdust or round or oval exit holes should call DLC Arbor Service to arrange to have their ash trees treated for these ash tree pests. DLC uses insecticides effective against native ash tree pests but also against the EAB. This approach will take care of the current tree insect problem but also protect your ash trees against EAB infestations.
To understand your EAB treatment options, please fill out this request service form or call us at 303-378-8000.
