HARRISBURG, Pa. — Emerald ash borer beetles, an invasive species that destroy ash trees, were identified in Granville, Mifflin County, according to Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff.
The beetle was first detected in Pennsylvania in the summer of 2007 in Butler County and was found again the following summer in Mercer County.
Quarantine expanded
To help slow the spread of the beetle, a state-imposed quarantine for Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Lawrence and Mercer counties will now be expanded to include Mifflin County.
State and federal Emerald Ash Borer quarantines restrict the movement from the quarantine area of ash nursery stock, green lumber and any other ash material, including logs, stumps, roots and branches, and all wood chips.
Due to the difficulty in distinguishing between species of hardwood firewood, all hardwood firewood — including ash, oak, maple and hickory — are considered quarantined.
Have you seen it?
People who suspect they have seen Emerald Ash Borer should call the department’s toll-free pest hotline at 866-253-7189.
For more information about the quarantine, contact Walt Blosser at 717-772-5205, and for more information about Emerald Ash Borer, contact Sven-Erik Spichiger at 717-772-5229.
Information is also available at www.agriculture.state.pa.us/emeraldashborer.
