Emerald Ash Borer found in La Crosse County
LA CROSSE, Wis. — An invasive beetle that kills ash trees has been found in La Crosse County.
State officials said Monday six emerald ash borer beetles were found in a trap about a mile east of the La Crosse city limits in the town of Medary. The beetles were sent to federal inspectors, who confirmed the species on August 19.
La Crosse County will soon be under quarantine rules, which means no one can move wood into or out of the county.
Other counties currently under emerald ash borer quarantine include Vernon, Crawfrod, Brown, Sheboygan, Fond du Lac, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Racine, Washington and Waukesha.
Residents with concerns about infested ash trees should contact a certified arborist, or other tree care professional for help.
Click here for more on the emerald ash borer in Wisconsin.
The emerald ash borer was first discovered in North America near Detroit, Michigan in 2002. Since then the beetle has spread to several eastern and midwestern states, including Wisconsin. The beetle has also been found in Canada.
The emerald ash borer is not a threat to human health, but is 100 percent fatal to ash trees. The beetle larva spends its life inside ash trees, feeding on the inner bark. This feeding disrupts the trees’ ability to transport water and nutrients, causing the tree to starve and eventually die.
