Since first discovered in Michigan in 2002, the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) has destroyed many of our nation’s ash trees. When treating the Emerald Ash Borer in West Chester, certified arborists have four main treatment options. Below are some signs that your trees may be infested as well as information about the types of treatment available.
Signs of the Emerald Ash Borer
Homeowners should be diligent in preventing EAB spread by treating infestations quickly. To determine if the Emerald Ash Borer has taken up residence in your trees, you want to look for:
- D-Shaped Exit Holes
- S-Shaped Galleries Under the Bark
- Crown Die-Back
- Defoliation
- Increased Woodpecker Damage
Types of Treatments for Emerald Ash Borer in West Chester
Soil Application of Insecticides
Soil applications are applied annually either around the time of the first seasonal bud, or a few weeks following. The soil surrounding the infected trees is doused in special insecticides. Additionally, the insecticides can be injected into the soil if barriers in the soil could prevent the liquid from reaching the roots. Over the course of several weeks, the insecticide is carried from the roots to the top layer of leaves, where adult Emerald Ash Borers feed prior to mating. Care should be used when applying near flowering plants frequented by bees.
Non-Invasive Systemic Trunk Sprays
Spray insecticides are applied to the bark of infested trees. Over the following two to three weeks, the insecticides enter the plant where they are consumed by the Emerald Ash Borer. As with soil application, care must be used to avoid contact with flowering plants to protect vital bee populations.
Trunk Injections
Trunk injections are another effective way to treat the Emerald Ash Borer in West Chester. Depending on the type of pesticide used, trunk injections can last up to two years between applications. Treating infestations this way requires a licensed professional to drill holes into the base of each tree being treated.
Persistent Surface-Applied Contact Insecticides
Spraying the tree from the trunk to the crown is another way to treat the Emerald Ash Borer. Biannual applications will be needed to kill both adults as they emerge from the bark and the larvae as they hatch. Caution should be used as this method has a high-risk of drift.
Which method is right for your property will depend on several factors, such as:
- Proximity to flowering plants
- Degree of infestation
- Number of trees involved
- Timing of Treatment
- Local laws and regulations
Call Stein Tree for Effective Treatment of the Emerald Ash Borer in West Chester, PA
Treating the Emerald Ash Borer in West Chester promptly is key to protecting your valuable trees. If you suspect your ash trees may be infested, please contact the certified arborists at Stein Tree Service today. Since 1983, Stein Tree Service has proudly cared for trees all across the West Chester and surrounding areas and are licensed to apply the needed treatments for EAB in Delaware and Pennsylvania.