What is the Emerald Ash Borer & Why Should You Care?
If you live in Minnesota and have ash trees on your property, you’ve likely seen the damage caused by the emerald ash borer. This invasive insect is destroying ash trees across the state, and fast, preventative action is the only way to save yours.
Our tree pest control experts at Valley Green Companies can help save you from these destructive insects with preventative care and ash tree treatment. At Valley Green, we use a micro-infusion treatment that delivers insecticide directly into the tree, protecting it from the inside out. This method is effective, minimally invasive, and only needs to be applied every other year. We’ve been treating ash trees with the EAB micro-infusion method since 2019!
Contact us today to schedule an appointment for Emerald Ash Borer Treatment in Central Minnesota.
What Is the Emerald Ash Borer?
The emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis) is an invasive beetle native to northeastern Asia. It was first discovered in the United States near Detroit, Michigan, in 2002. Since then, it has spread to over 30 states and several Canadian provinces. Its primary target? Ash trees—specifically, green, white, black, and blue ash species.
The adult beetle doesn’t do much damage, but the real problem starts when it lays eggs on the bark of ash trees. Once the larvae hatch, they burrow under the bark and feed on the tree’s inner layers, cutting off the flow of water and nutrients. This causes the tree to die slowly, usually within 2–4 years of infestation.
Why Should You Care?
1. Tree Loss Is Expensive
Removing dead or dying ash trees can be costly, whether you’re a homeowner or part of a city’s forestry department. Once a tree is infested, it quickly becomes hazardous, often needing removal to prevent damage or injury from falling limbs.
2. Property Value and Safety
Healthy trees add value to properties, provide shade, and protect against erosion. Losing ash trees can reduce curb appeal, increase energy costs (from lost shade), and create safety risks from weakened branches.
3. Environmental Impact
Ash trees are a vital part of many ecosystems. Birds, insects, and other wildlife rely on them for food and shelter. Widespread loss of ash trees can disrupt entire food chains and reduce biodiversity in both urban and rural areas.
4. The Spread Is Ongoing
Emerald ash borers spread naturally and through human activity, especially by moving firewood. Infestations can easily jump from one community to another without proper awareness and action.
What Can You Do?
- Consider Preventative Treatment: Don’t wait for these killers to move in before you take action! Valley Green Companies has offered preventative treatment for ash trees in our service area since 2019 to prevent the spread.
- Know the Signs: Look for thinning canopies, bark splitting, D-shaped exit holes, and increased woodpecker activity on your ash trees.
- Don’t Move Firewood: Buy it where you burn it, or be sure to purchase certified “safe-to-move” firewood that has been kiln-dried to kill insects like the EAB.
- Consider Treatment: If you have a valuable ash tree, talk to an expert like those at Valley Green Companies about treatment options before it’s too late. Once infested, ash trees can die in as little as 2–4 years. The key to saving them is EAB treatment within the first year. If you act fast, there’s a good chance your tree can be preserved.
- Diversify Your Trees: Avoid planting only one type if you’re replacing trees. A diverse landscape is more resistant to pests and disease.
Contact Valley Green to Protect Your Trees
The emerald ash borer may be small, but its impact is massive. Staying informed and acting early is key to protecting the trees in your yard, neighborhood, and community. If you see signs of EAB or want to know how to prevent it, now’s the time to take action.
Valley Green’s team of experts can help prevent infestations, advise you on a course of action, and treat infested trees. Valley Green Companies has years of experience treating EAB in Minnesota and uses the latest injection methods for safe, reliable results.
We are experienced in the battle against Emerald Ash Borers and invested in helping protect Minnesota’s environment against these invaders. Contact us today to set up an appointment.
