An invasive tree-killing species has been detected in Starke and Tipton counties for the first time. The Indiana Department of Natural Resources announced this week that the emerald ash borer has been detected in the two counties which were already included in the 79-county area placed under quarantine from the EAB.
The species was found in North Bend Township of Starke County at the Bass Lake Beach and Campground, and has now been found in more than 50 Indiana counties after its first detection in 2004. The primary mode of transport for the EAB is through movement of firewood in campgrounds, which prompted the regulation of materials such as whole ash trees, limbs, and untreated lumber, as well as cut firewood of any hardwood species with the bark attached.
While the movement of regulated materials within the quarantined area is not restricted, the DNR recommends against moving regulated material from April 15 through July – the time when EAB is typically emerging and searching for trees to infest.
Visitors can take firewood onto DNR properties if the wood has been certified by the USDA or DNR Division of Entomology and Plant Pathology or is free of bark.
For more information on EAB or to report an infestation visit eabindiana.info or call Indiana DNR’s toll-free hotline at 866-NO EXOTIC (663-9684).
