The Emerald Ash Borer is an exotic pest introduced to Michigan ports through wooden pallets and packing materials from China. It is believed that all varieties of ash in Michigan will eventually be at risk to this devastating insect. For this reason, the Emerald Ash Borer poses a serious threat. The adult beetle is bright green and lays its eggs on the bark of ash trees. After hatching, the larvae chew through the outer layer of bark and begin feeding on the sapwood. Large galleries of the insects eventually girdle and kill branches and entire trees. Transport of infected wood through nursery stock, board lumber, and firewood are all potential means of spreading the pest to other parts of the State and Country. The Pesticide Plant Pest Management Division of the Michigan Department of Agriculture has quarantined the southeastern lower peninsula for ash and is attempting to arrest the spread of the Emerald Ash Borer.

Recently, several outlying areas outside the quarantined area have been found in Michigan. These areas are also under MDA quarantine and are undergoing a concerted effort at eradication of the insect to prevent further spread. At present, there is a quarantine in northeastern Grand Traverse County and the entire Old Mission Peninsula.

With two new EAB sites since May 2005, one in Benzie County and the other in Brimley State Park (Upper Penninsula), this is evidence the insect is continuing to spread and humans are the main factor in this movement. Both of these new sites are from the movement of firewood! The catch slogan was and still is DON'T MOVE FIREWOOD! If anyone is concerned about the spread of EAB and would like to show their concern to others, we have bumper magnets in the office stating "Don't Move Firewood it bugs me!" You can place these on your car to discourage people from moving firewood, and use them as a conversational piece to educate those who are unaware of the problem. This is a problem that will affect us all and it requires all of our cooperation.

more info: http://www.michigan.gov/mda/0,1607,7-125-1568_2390_18298---,00.html