Illinois Ash Borer Treatment was a direct response to the 2006 discovery of the non-native pest in Kane County, one of the “collar counties” of Chicago. Since that time, the response was much the same as in other Midwestern states: to attempt first to stop the Emerald Ash Borer from migrating. More often than not, these measures amounted to little more than warning residents not to transport firewood from one place to the other.

Inevitably, the Emerald Ash Borer will find every ash tree. These trees are the Emerald Ash Borer’s home, and the insect’s ultimate feeding ground. The borer destroys trees in much the same way that cholesterol attacks the heart. The Borer lays its eggs in bark crevasses of the ash tree.  Just as cholesterol chokes the blood supply to the heart, the insect hatchlings block the ash trees ability to store and transport sugar.  This ultimately leads to the death of the tree. Once damage from the EAB starts it cannot be reversed,  but timely treatments can halt more damage from occurring, and the ash tree can recover.

The Emerald Ash Borer is relatively harmless in its native Asia, where natural predators exist to keep it in check. In the United States, where the insect has taken root in 15 states, there are few natural predators. It has become clear that merely attempting to restrict movement of this dangerous, predatory species is insufficient. The only true defense is preventive treatment. This is especially true for Illinois, which faces a unique situation. Chicago is by far Illinois’ largest population center. It is a dense urban area unique to the Midwest. Because Chicago includes many villages and smaller cities that are more than 125 years old, Illinois is home to some the oldest ash trees in the Midwest.

Illinois Ash Borer Treatment is a vital step to avoid loss of these irreplaceable trees.  Firms such as Emerald Tree Care LLC and its Board Certified Master Arborist stop the problem before it starts. The prevention strategy is to treat a tree while it is still healthy, once the borer is discovered to be present within a 15-mile radius. This type of treatment, administered in the hands of a master arborist, ensures that the beetle cannot infest the tree in the first place.  Again, this is much akin to taking preventive measures to avoid heart disease.  Early treatment by a master arborist is an Illinois resident’s only way to ensure survival of a potentially endangered ash.

The Agrilis planipennis, more commonly known as the Emerald Ash Borer, is a species of beetle that survives only on ash trees and is capable of killing every known ash species native to North America. The first infestation was discovered in Michigan in 2002. Since then, the pest has spread to fifteen more states. Any homeowner who has this type of tree should learn more about Emerald Ash Borer prevention methods.

These insects prefer green and black ash, so these types of trees are often attacked first. White ash will become the most attractive when the green and black ash trees have been eliminated from the region. Blue ash is resistant for a short period of time because it is able to enclose the bug galleries with callous tissue. Even the blue ash will succumb with time.

Homeowners are urged to start a preventative treatment program as soon as an infestation is reported within a 15-mile radius of their location. Prevention is the best way to battle this pest since visible signs of infestation may not show up for three years or more.

A local tree specialist will be able to suggest an effective treatment for ridding the tree of this damaging insect. Many will combine soil treatments and tree trunk injections to introduce insecticide to the system. A specially designed hypodermic needle is used to inject insecticide underneath the bark. The substance is then carried throughout the tree where these pests will eventually feed.   Yearly treatments are recommended when you are in an area of increasing insect populations.

Homeowners who live in an area where an infestation has been discovered are encouraged to contact a local tree expert and ask about Emerald Ash Borer prevention. Trees that are treated early have a better chance of recovery and survival.

Emerald Tree Care LLC offers  professional Emerald Ash Borer treatment in the five states of Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin.  Be sure and contact us before it is too late!