Your EAB Checklist for Prevention

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Foresters may recommend installing ash borer traps like this one to serve as an early warning system.

Credit: Flickr photo by Kerry Wixted

The emerald ash borer has been spreading steadily since its first appearance in Michigan in 2002. Unfortunately, experts think it's just going to keep spreading, and few ash trees will survive.

• Diversify. Ideally, ash shouldn't make up more than 10 percent to a quarter of your woods. If you know the emerald ash borer is close by, you may want to cut down some of the ash trees on your land and sell the wood, have it cut for your own use, or use it for firewood.
• Insecticide. If you know emerald ash borers are within 10 or 20 miles, you can use insecticide on any trees you particularly want to protect. This isn't practical for a whole forest.

Whether you’re working to keep emerald ash borers away or controlling damage from an existing infestation, you don’t have to go it alone.

State, county or consulting foresters, the Forest Service or your local cooperative extension service can all help you protect your woods and preserve your forest legacy.