Emerald Ash Borer Info for New Castle, DE Residents

The Emerald Ash Borer has killed millions of ash trees since its introduction in the United States in 2002. Initially, these ash tree preying insects thrived without any treatment to abolish them. All of the ash trees grown in the United States are susceptible to these wood-boring beetles.New Castle, Delaware, now faces the threat as EAB was discovered in the state in September 2016.

The Impact of EAB Damage

The effect of Emerald Ash Borer infestation has both ecological and economic implications. It is considered a parasite-type pest and causes cascading effects, both direct and indirect, in the forest’s natural ecosystem.

Ash trees are typically used to create sporting equipment such as baseball bats and paddles. The wood can also be used for pallets, tool handles or firewood. Since the EAB infestation, businesses from logging companies to nursery businesses have been impacted financially.

Detection of Emerald Ash Borer Infestations

The ability to detect early stages of an EAB infestation is crucial to your invasive pest management. In New Castle, Delaware, the most common signs and symptoms of Emerald Ash Borer to be looking for are:

• Thinning of the tree’s crown or canopy
• Formation of sprouts along the trunk
• Vertical bark splits due to development of larva
• Heavy woodpecker feeding
• D shaped holes in the ash bark
• Protruded serpentine or S shaped patterns found along the trunk

Control and Prevention of EAB

Several points should be considered before treating ash trees in the New Castle, DE area. Some ash trees are treatable but the treatment depends on how badly the tree is damaged. One should always consider the overall health, the tree’s location, and the value of the tree before EAB treatment. If you own an ash tree and are unsure of its condition, seeking help from the local coordinating agency in New Castle or a professional certified arborist can contribute significantly to proper diagnosis and treatment.

The primary treatment for Emerald Ash Borer Infestation is through a trunk drenching of systemic insecticides such as imidacloprid. Some insecticides can be applied on and around the base of an ash tree. However, before purchasing pesticides at the local hardware stores, check the label to assure treatment instructions.

Here is a list of various insecticides for treating and controlling EAB:

• ACECAP 97 Systemic Insecticide Tree Implants (acephate)
• Amdro Tree & Shrub Care Concentrate (imidacloprid)
• Bayer Advanced Tree and Shrub Insect Control II (imidacloprid)
• Bayer Advanced Tree and Shrub Protect & Feed (imidacloprid)
• Bayer Advanced Tree and Shrub Protect & Feed II (imidacloprid + clothianidin)
• Compare N Save Systemic Tree & Shrub Insect Drench (imidacloprid)
• Ferti-lome Tree and Shrub Systemic Drench (imidacloprid)
• Monterey Once a Year Insect Control II (imidacloprid)
• Optrol (imidacloprid)
• Ortho Bug-B-Gone Year-Long Tree & Shrub Insect Control (imidacloprid)

Call 302-478-3511 or 302-731-1718 to request an EAB consultation.
Stein Tree Service is licensed to treat for emerald ash borer in Delaware and Pennsylvania.