The Kentucky Forest Health Task Force met in late October and reviewed the latest trapping data concerning the Emerald Ash Borer. Over 6000 traps throughout Kentucky have been collected and analyzed and the only county outside of the original 20 county quarantine area where the insect was found was in Greenup County.
The Kentucky Forest Industries Association and other associated groups on the task force have recommended that the existing quarantine add Greenup County and not be expanded into any additional areas of the state at the current time. We expect that Greenup County will be officially quarantined sometime in December.
The quarantine prohibits regulated articles from being moved outside a quarantined area without a certificate or limited permit except under certain conditions. A regulated article may be moved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture or the Kentucky Department of Agriculture for experimental or scientific purposes; may be moved in an enclosed vehicle or completely covered to prevent access by the emerald ash borer (through Sept. 30); may be moved directly through the quarantined area without stopping except for traffic conditions and refueling; may be moved if it is stored, packed or handled at locations that do not pose a risk of infestation; and may be moved if it has not been combined or commingled with other articles.
Regulated articles are defined as the emerald ash borer, hardwood firewood, ash nursery stock, green ash lumber, other ash material, and any other materials that present a threat of artificial spread of the emerald ash borer.
The current counties under quarantine are Boone, Bourbon, Campbell, Carroll, Fayette, Franklin, Gallatin, Grant, Harrison, Henry, Jefferson, Jessamine, Kenton, Oldham, Owen, Pendleton, Scott, Shelby, Trimble and Woodford.
Persons may obtain a certificate to move regulated articles to any destination in Kentucky when, in the judgment of an inspector, the articles have not been exposed to the emerald ash borer, appear to be free of the emerald ash borer, have been treated to destroy the emerald ash borer, or have been grown, produced, manufactured, stored or handled in such a manner that their movement does not present a risk of spreading the emerald ash borer. Persons may obtain limited permits to move regulated articles to specific destinations in Kentucky if the regulated articles are apparently free of emerald ash borer; have been grown, produced, manufactured, stored or handled in a manner that prevents the articles from presenting a risk of spreading the emerald ash borer; or are to be moved under conditions that will not result in the spread of the emerald ash borer because the insect will be destroyed by the articles handling, utilization, processing or treatment.
Persons who intend to move any regulated articles shall apply for inspection at least 48 hours before the services are needed. An inspector may stop and inspect, destroy, seize, stop sale or treat any regulated articles or may order them returned to the point of origin at the owner's expense.
The emerald ash borer (EAB) is an exotic beetle native to the Far East. It was first discovered in North America in June 2002 in southeast Michigan. EAB has been identified in 12 states and two Canadian provinces. It can kill an ash tree within two to three years of infestation.
For detailed information on how to deal with the quarantine contact the KFIA office or see the following publications that are in the download section of the KFIA website. EAB Treatments for Ash Lumber, Firewood, Logs and Sawmill Residuals and Shipping Ash Lumber and Other Ash Products.
To report a possible infestation, call the EAB Hotline, 1-866-322-4512, or the Kentucky state entomologist's office at (859) 257-5838.
