[fullwidth background_color=”” background_image=”” background_parallax=”none” enable_mobile=”no” parallax_speed=”0.3″ background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” video_url=”” video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_webm=”” video_mp4=”” video_ogv=”” video_preview_image=”” overlay_color=”” overlay_opacity=”0.5″ video_mute=”yes” video_loop=”yes” fade=”no” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding_top=”20″ padding_bottom=”20″ padding_left=”0″ padding_right=”0″ hundred_percent=”no” equal_height_columns=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” menu_anchor=”” class=”” id=””][title size=”1″ content_align=”left” style_type=”default” sep_color=”#000000″ margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” class=”” id=””]Minnesota Department of Agriculture identifies emerald ash borer in Washington County[/title][fusion_text]Friday, October 9th 2015
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) today identified emerald ash borer (EAB) in Washington County. An adult EAB was found on a survey trap that had been placed at the Minnesota Department of Transportation’s St. Croix Rest Area on Interstate 94. During a follow-up visit, staff discovered a nearby tree had tunneling consistent with the invasive pest. “These survey traps are one tool we have to search for emerald ash borer in areas close to know infestations, as is the case in Washington County,” said MDA Entomologist Mark Abrahamson. “With the help of these traps, private citizens on the lookout for signs of EAB, and private and public partners, we can identify new infestations of the insect early and take measures to slow its spread in the state. Because this is the first time that EAB has been identified in Washington County, the specimen has been sent to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for confirmation, which is expected later this week. Pending confirmation, the MDA and USDA will work closely to determine appropriate follow-up actions. One of the likely actions will place Washington County under an emergency quarantine. Washington County would join Anoka, Chisago, Dakota, Fillmore, Hennepin, Houston, Olmsted, Ramsey, Scott, and Winona counties in a state and federal quarantine. The quarantine is in place to help prevent EAB from spreading outside of a known infested area. It is designed to limit the movement of any items that may be infested with EAB, including ash trees and ash tree limbs, as well as all hardwood firewood.
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