Alert for Rock County Residents: Emerald Ash Borer Invasion Triggers Emergency Quarantine

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has confirmed the presence of the emerald ash borer (EAB) in Rock County. This is the first time the invasive species has been found in the area, increasing the total number of affected counties in Minnesota to 51. An arborist near Beaver Creek, close to the South Dakota border, detected the pest and reported it via the MDA's Report A Pest service.

After the initial report, MDA staff collected and analyzed samples from the site. Federal authorities later verified these samples as EAB. The pest, first detected in Minnesota in 2009, threatens ash trees by feeding on tissues under the bark, which are crucial for transporting nutrients. This often results in the death of the tree.

Signs of infestation include woodpecker holes and split bark that exposes S-shaped tunnels created by the larvae. In response, the MDA has implemented an emergency quarantine in Rock County to limit the movement of firewood and ash materials, aiming to control the spread of EAB.

The MDA will hold a virtual informational meeting on May 8, 2024, to discuss the issue. The meeting will feature a presentation on EAB and a Q&A session, allowing residents and tree care professionals to learn about the quarantine and its effects.

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