Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) Awareness Week is an effort to increase public awareness about EAB and the threat it poses to North Dakota and to encourage behavior to prevent or delay its introduction.

Green message ribbons have been placed on public ash trees to give some perspective of the potential impact of EAB.

Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is an invasive insect, initially brought over from Asia, probably in wood packing material. The adult beetle is metallic green and about ½” long.  The larvae feed under the bark, disrupting the movement of water and nutrients and kill the tree within several years.  

Indicators that a tree is infected include D-shaped exit holes in the bark when the adults emerge in the spring and increased woodpecker activity.  

Although EAB is not yet in North Dakota the threat is dangerously close in South Dakota, Minnesota and Winnipeg.  To help slow the spread of EAB:

• Don’t move firewood

• Diversify tree plantings to reduce vulnerability

• Become aware of the symptoms of EAB and report possible sightings to the Forestry Department

• Do not use pesticide treatments unless the presence of the beetle has been confirmed.

Learn about the signs and symptoms of EAB infestation. This information can be found at the EAB website at www.emeraldashborer.info