Camping season is upon us, as is the season for bugs to start emerging. Everyday there is another news story about firewood or invasive insects. I can't keep up! Here are a couple of recent interesting highlights;
Tree examinations yield no ash borers in Iowa -- yet. Gazette Online of Iowa
"Firewood transported from infested counties has been one way in which the emerald ash borer has spread, and Pruisner noted that 80 percent of the firewood in Vernon and Crawford counties in Wisconsin, across from Allamakee County, is exported outside of the area. So she said officials also will be looking for the bug in high-risk areas like campgrounds in Iowa."
Purple panel traps are back. Greencastle Banner Graphic of Indiana
"Moving firewood can spread the insect to new areas. All of Indiana is under a federal quarantine that restricts the movement of all hardwood firewood into any other state. Violation of the quarantine can result in fines totaling thousands of dollars."
7 tips for planning a camping trip in Illinois. Prairie Fever blog
"6. Know the laws regarding firewood transportation. The emerald ash borer is a green beetle, native to Asia, that has already killed 40 million ash trees in the U.S., and threatens to kill many more. To prevent the spread of this invasive insect, you should know the rules restricting the transportation of firewood. If you live in the 18-county area of northeastern Illinois or in certain parts of Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio, you may not bring firewood from home. Instead, you must acquire firewood locally. (Most campgrounds offer some nearby options for purchasing firewood). Learn what parts of the Midwest have firewood quarantines."
And finally, the third place for the Emerald ash borer to baseball bat story to appear...
Ash-killing insect threatening bats' future. MLB.com (Major League Baseball)
"To try to quarantine the insect, the Department of Agriculture has urged people to burn firewood only near its origin and not to transport it to other locations."
Comments
Post new comment