Emerald Ash Borer Spreads Throughout Northwest Wisconsin

Emerald Ash Borer have been discovered in Washburn and Taylor Counties, leaving Burnett as the only Wisconsin county with no detections.

According to a press release from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, officials detected the presence of emerald ash borer in Washburn and Taylor Counties for the first time since the invasive species was first discovered in the state in 2008. The larvae samples were collected from the Town of Springbrook and the City of Medford. So far, Burnett County is the only county left in the state that has not detected the bugs.

The emerald ash borer can have a huge negative impact on ash trees, often killing trees in urban areas which can be costly for local municipalities.

Earlier this year, Eau Claire Forestry Department officials announced that about 34% of the ash trees that lined the streets of the City were infested with the invasive beetles. The City had planned to remove about 400 of the infested trees, but officials say the total number that needed removal was closer to 2,000.

Department of Natural Resources officials have asked residents to keep an eye out for ash trees showing signs of Emerald Ash Borer activities. In a January press release, they advised residents that infected trees may look like they’ve suffered woodpecker damage, as the birds often target the bark of the trees looking for the larvae underneath.

If left untreated, the troublesome bugs kill an estimated 99% of the trees that they infest. If you see evidence of emerald ash borer on a tree, you should contact the Department of Natural Resources to report it. The DNR website also features an interactive map showing each place in the state where the bugs have been detected.