What Is An Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) And What You Can Do About Them
Posted on: 7 November 2018
An emerald ash borer (EAB) is an insect that lays it's larvae on trees. The larvae then burrows into the bark of trees, feeding off of the tissue inside the tree. This will eventually cause the tree to starve and will kill the tree. If you have a lot of trees in your yard and one is affected by these insects, chances are good that other trees could become infected by these insects as well. Read on for further information on the emerald ash borer insect and what you can do to help preserve your trees.
Emerald Ash Borer
The emerald ash borer may be difficult to see on your trees, as it's wings have a metallic color and can blend into the trees. The larvae they produce bore into the tree, and are not usually visible to the naked eye, unless you cut down the tree to see what's inside.
Spotting An Infestation
Again, you may not be able to see the insects themselves unless you cut into the tree, but you can tell that your tree is in need of some treatment if you spot the leaves beginning to thin or turning yellow in color. The bark may also have d-shaped holes in them from the larvae burrowing inside. If you look closely at the tree, you may also notice that the branches are beginning to break off further up into the tree.
What You Can Do About It
If you suspect an infestation in your tree, it's imperative that you seek help from a professional arborist or tree service that specializes in emerald ash borer infestations. The arborist or tree service can take a sample of the tree or debark the tree to help save it. If the tree is too far gone, the tree may need to be removed to help save the surrounding trees. The other trees that aren't yet infested with these bugs can also be treated and possibly saved before it's too late for them as well.
If you have mature trees in your yard, then you know how important it is to save them. It can be costly to have them removed and replaced, so keep a close eye on them, and if you begin to notice any dying branches or thinning leaves, or even leaves changing color earlier than normal, it could be an infestation. Call for help from an arborist or a tree service to help save your trees with emerald ash borer treatment.
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