Iowa State University extension service horticulturist, Richard Jauron, says the discovery of the emerald ash borer in Iowa is not a reason for people with ash trees to panic. The ash borer was confirmed in a tree two miles south of Minnesota in Allamakee County.
“Even though it has been found, most of us don’t have to do anything at this point. There’s no need to treat. There’s no need to do anything as far as the trees that you have,” Jauron says, “they typically suggest there’s no need to treat unless the actual insect has been found within fifteen miles of your location.” Scientists have been on alert for the emerald ash borer in Iowa since 2003. Jauron says the emerald ash borer can move in a couple of ways.
“It does spread slowly by itself. It travels great distances by human beings bringing firewood and things around,” Jauron says. He says you can help your trees by not giving the borer help in moving. “If we do a good job of containing it and don’t move things like firewood around so much then we can actually slow it down,” Jauron says.
Experts expected the emerald ash borer to eventually make it to Iowa after an infestation hit in 2009 in Victory, Wisconsin, just across the Mississippi River.