The Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is an invasive beetle from Asia. EAB larvae feed on the inner bark of ash trees, making it hard for the tree to transport water and nutrients. A tree has almost no chance of surviving after it is infested. Because EAB spreads so quickly, it has become one of the most destructive urban forest pests in history. The good news is healthy ash trees can be protected against EAB.
How Do You Prevent the Spread of Emerald Ash Borer?
It’s hard to prevent the initial EAB infestation of an individual tree. But you can prevent EAB from spreading quickly to other trees. The only way to prevent your ash trees from becoming infested with EAB is to treat them. Untreated ash trees contribute to the spread of EAB.
Sadly, trees infested with EAB decline quickly, often within 3 to 4 years. What’s worse, ash trees get brittle and their limbs break easily soon after they die. This makes them a hazard, so dead ash trees need to be cut down quickly.
Learn how to manage EAB and about the cost of treatments to see if your ash tree is a good candidate for protection.
How to Treat Emerald Ash Borer
As much as we’d like to simply get rid of EAB, this pest is here to stay. The good news is there are affordable treatments that have been scientifically proven to be effective. EAB is spreading fast in Minnesota, but there is still time to protect healthy ash trees and enjoy the shade and beauty a mature tree offers for years to come.
How Rainbow Treats for EAB
How to Protect your Ash Tree
Emerald Ash Borer treatments are performed by injecting product into the tree’s trunk just above the soil line. The product is then taken up naturally by the tree’s vascular system, the same way nutrients and water are moved throughout a tree. This process allows the product to reach all of the tree’s living parts, including the leaves, twigs, branches, and trunk.
Environmental Factors Behind EAB Infestations
This pest has been found across Minnesota, including Minneapolis, St. Paul and surrounding cities. EAB thrives anywhere ash trees are present, so every untreated ash tree is at risk. Homeowners in areas being impacted by EAB should take action now, or plan to remove their ash trees.
Signs of EAB Infestation
To get the most benefit, it’s best to protect your tree before it shows visible damage. After a tree has lost 50% percent of its canopy, you may not be able to save it. The following are signs a tree may be infested with EAB:
- Canopy dieback starts in the top third of the tree’s branches and continues until there are almost no leaves.
- Woodpeckers will remove pieces of bark or leave holes as they feed on the larva under the bark.
- Adult borers are ½ inch long, metallic green colored beetles, usually too small to see.
- D-shaped exit holes appear where newly hatched adults emerge.
Schedule your consultation today!
To learn about protecting ash trees in your yard, contact us and schedule a consultation with one of our experts. Visit our online resources for help identifying ash trees and to learn which trees are the best candidates for treatment.
Additional EAB Information
As a local company, Rainbow is proud to partner with over 25 cities throughout the Twin Cities metro area to treat ash trees. We offer a citywide discount to property owners in our partner cities. If you live or own property in a partner city, we will treat your ash trees at a reduced price!
