Ash borer likely to bring con artist infestation, officials say
Now that the emerald ash borer has been found in two Wisconsin counties, the State Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer protection is warning that the next invasive species to likely to come to Wisconsin will be door-to-door con artists.
"Unfortunately, just as borers emerge from the tree bark, unscrupulous businesses will likely emerge to take money from innocent victims," said Mike Skwarok of the DATCP in a release.
"Do not hire a business that comes to your door to solicit business," warned Dave Fredrickson, a pesticide compliance program manager. Fredrickson suggested homeowners instead contact local businesses and compare prices and services before hiring a company.
"We have seen this happen in parts of Wisconsin that are infested with gypsy moth," said Lori Bowman, agrichemical management bureau director at the department. "If you are a property owner who wants to begin protecting your trees, do your homework so you don't get taken by businesses who are more interested in getting at your money instead of the ash-boring beetle."
The department said there are pesticides available to use against the beetle, which has been found in Ozaukee and Washington counties on the eastern lake shore region, but consumers should be wary of any business that claims a 100 percent success rate with its products.
"Insecticides may help protect ash trees from being killed by EAB but their success is not guaranteed. There is no magic bullet," Bowman said.
State officials long worried that the emerald ash borer would make its way to Wisconsin. The beetle has killed roughly 25 million ash trees since its arrival in the United States in 2002. It is believed the beetle originally landed in Detroit in wood packaging material from China.
It was discovered first in Ozaukee County and was then found in Washington County this month. Those, along with Sheboygan and Fond du Lac counties, have been put under quarantine by the state in hopes of limiting the spread of the beetle.
Nurseries in the quarantined counties will be prohibited from moving ash nursery stock to other counties or states.
"Establishing this quarantine is an important first step to combat EAB," said Bob Dahl, plant protection section chief with the Ag department. "EAB can travel only so far on its own, but the beetle can travel great distances if it is unknowingly transported inside logs, mulch or firewood."
The department is also urging campers to buy firewood locally, rather than transporting it, and possibly transporting EAB, along with it.
