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Insecticide Options for <br />Protecting Ash Trees from <br />Emerald Ash Borer <br />E <br />merald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis some sites, but the same treat- <br />Fairmaire), an invasive insect native to ments failed in other sites. Further- <br />Asia, has killed tens of millions of ash more, in some studies conducted <br />trees in urban, rural and forested settings. over multiple years, EAB densities <br />continued to increase in individual <br />southeast Michigan and Windsor, Ontario. As trees despite annual treatment. <br />of June 2009, emerald ash borer (EAB) infes-Some arborists have combined <br />tations were known to be present in 12 states treatments to increase the odds of <br />and two Canadian provinces. Many hom-success (e.g., combining a cover <br />eowners, arborists and tree care profession-spray with a systemic treatment). <br />als want to protect valuable ash trees from <br />Our understanding of how EAB <br />EAB. Scientists have learned much about this <br />can be managed successfully <br />insect and methods to protect ash trees since <br />with insecticides has increased <br />2002. This bulletin is designed to answer <br />substantially in recent years. The <br />frequently asked questions and provide <br />current state of this understanding <br />the most current information on insecticide <br />is detailed in the bulletin. It is important to <br />options for controlling EAB. <br />note that research on management of EAB <br />remains a work in progress. Scientists from <br />universities, government agencies and com- <br />Answers to Frequently <br />panies continue to conduct intensive studies <br />Asked Questions <br />to understand how and when insecticide <br />treatments will be most effective. <br />What options do I have for treating my <br />I know my tree is already infested with <br />ash trees? <br />EAB. Will insecticides still be effective? <br />If you elect to treat your ash trees, there are <br />several insecticide options available and If a tree has lost more than 50 percent of its <br />research has shown that treatments can be canopy, it is probably too late to save the <br />effective. Keep in mind, however, that con-tree. Studies have shown that it is best to <br />trolling insects that feed under the bark with begin using insecticides while ash trees are <br />. This is still relatively healthy. This is because most <br />especially true with EAB because our native of the insecticides used for EAB control act <br />North American ash trees have little natural systemically — the insecticide must be trans- <br />resistance to this pest. In university trials, ported within the tree. In other words, a tree <br />some insecticide treatments were effective in must be healthy enough to carry a systemic <br />3 <br />Herms, McCullough, Smitley, Sadof, Williamson, Nixon <br />