MANHATTAN, Kan. (WIBW) – Landowners in Northeast Kansas have been warned that an invasive beetle species has been noticed in timber in a number of counties, together with Shawnee Co.
Officers with Kansas State College Analysis and Extension have introduced {that a} Kansas Forest Service official has formally confirmed the presence of Emerald Ash Borers in a number of counties in Northeast Kansas. Landowners have been suggested to be looking out for the beetle.
Ryan Rastok, a forest well being program coordinator for KFS, stated Emerald Ash Borers are able to devastating white ash and inexperienced ash timber in each rural and concrete landscapes. The timber present shade for people and canopy for small wildlife.
Officers indicated that the beetles had been first suspected within the Nineties, nonetheless, they weren’t detected till 2002. Since then, the species has induced the destruction of tens of tens of millions of ash timber in 30 states, together with greater than 40 million in Michigan alone. The pest was first present in Kansas in 2012.
On Friday, July 7, Rastok stated he reported EAB-infected timber in 13 Kansas counties: Atchison, Brown, Doniphan, Douglas, Franklin, Jackson, Jefferson, Johnson, Leavenworth, Miami, Osage, Shawnee and Wyandotte.
“I think it’s in different areas; we simply haven’t discovered it (outdoors of the areas recognized) but,” Rastok stated. “So we’re asking folks – particularly outdoors of these counties the place we’ve at the moment discovered it – to tell us in the event that they’re seeing dying ash timber. That’s extraordinarily useful for us to know that in order that we are able to discover (EAB) and we may give them info they want in real-time to deal with their timber.”
Officers famous that the Emerald Ash Borer is a inexperienced, invasive, wood-boring beetle that kills ash timber because it eats tissues beneath the bark. Adults are identified to emerge in mid to late Might from infestations to the timber the 12 months earlier than. Eggs are laid shortly thereafter.
The Analysis Extension stated ensuing larvae bore into the ash tree and feed beneath the bark. This leaves seen tracks beneath. Small timber can die inside one or two years after infestation whereas bigger timber may survive as much as 4 years.
Shield Your Priceless Ash Timber In opposition to Emerald Ash Borer (Picture credit score: Wisconsin DNR)
Emerald Ash Borer (EAB). (Alex Liatala KBJR 6)
“Early in an infestation, timber can tolerate (EAB) for a couple of years, however when the inhabitants is at its peak, timber will be killed rather more rapidly,” Rastok stated.
Rastok warned that early detection and correct therapy can save contaminated timber. He recommends therapy as quickly as doable by a licensed pesticide applicator. Choices embody trunk injection, soil drench or bark spray.
“A trunk injection of emamectin benzoate is efficient for 2 – or in some instances, three – years, however the present finest follow for that chemical is to re-inject each different 12 months,” Rastok stated. “All different therapy choices would have to be re-applied yearly.”
Rastok famous that owners shouldn’t attempt to deal with contaminated timber themselves. He stated pesticides wanted to take action are costly and over-the-counter choices are usually not as efficient as remedies by licensed professionals.
“If timber are usually not handled, they’re going to die, plain and easy,” stated Rastok. “However it’s essential to notice that in city areas, most of these varieties are cultivars, and cultivars are mainly simply genetic clones,” he stated. “In case you’re speaking a couple of panorama tree which were planted, I wouldn’t anticipate these to be resistant.”
Rastok additionally indicated that it will not be sensible to deal with a number of timber in a forest, the place varieties may finally construct resistance.
Landowners who suspect an infection ought to report it to KFS at 785-532-3300.
Kansans also can contact the Kansas Division of Agriculture’s plant safety and weed management program at 785-564-6700.
Copyright 2023 WIBW. All rights reserved.