Emerald Ash Borer found in fifth Iowa county

Emerald Ash Borer has been positively identified in a residential tree in the city of Creston, the county seat of Union County, making this the fifth location where the invasive beetle has been found in Iowa.  EAB kills all ash tree species and is considered to be one of the most destructive tree pests ever seen in North America.

EAB infestations had previously been discovered in Allamakee County in May 2010, Des Moines County in July 2013, Jefferson County in August 2013 and Cedar County in October 2013.

A quarantine covering 25 counties in Eastern Iowa was issued on November 1st, intended to slow the accidental movement of EAB by humans.  An additional quarantine in response to this new confirmed infestation is being developed. A quarantine restricts movement of hardwood firewood, ash logs, wood chips and ash tree nursery stock out of the quarantined counties.

The Iowa EAB Team strongly cautions Iowans not to transport firewood across county or state lines, since the movement of firewood throughout Iowa or to other states poses the greatest threat to quickly spread EAB even further.