Emerald Ash Borer hasn't gotten to Winneshiek County yet

The Emerald Ash Borer still has not spread to Winneshiek County, according to a state report. 

A final report on the comprehensive surveillance efforts undertaken again in 2012 shows little movement of the Emerald Ash Borer.  The pest was found in Iowa in 2010 on Henderson Island in the Mississippi River in Allamakee County.  This year's survey results show the pest has moved off the island but has not moved outside of Allamakee County.
 
In 2012 there were 1,220 purple traps set across the state by USDA.  Two of the traps were positive for the emerald ash borer--one in New Albin and the other in Lansing.  These two positive traps in 2012 confirmed that the beetles have moved inland from the Mississippi River.
 
A federal and state quarantine has been in place for Allamakee County since 2010.  The quarantine prohibits the movement of firewood, ash nursery stock, ash timber, or any other article that could further spread EAB.  
 
EAB has killed ash trees of various sizes in neighborhoods and woodlands throughout the Midwest. Ash is one of the most abundant native tree species in North America, and has been heavily planted as a landscape tree in yards and other urban areas. According to the USDA Forest Service, Iowa has an estimated 52 million rural ash trees and approximately 3.1 million more ash trees in urban areas.
 
The movement of firewood throughout Iowa and to other states poses the greatest threat to quickly spread EAB even further.  Areas currently infested are under federal and state quarantines, but unknowing campers or others who transport firewood can spark an outbreak.  As a result, officials are asking Iowans to not move firewood and instead buy and burn it locally.
 
To learn more about EAB please visit www.extension.iastate.edu/PME/EmeraldAshBorer.html