Kansas emerald ash borer spread reaches Nemaha County

By Scout Nelson

On October 14, 2024, the Kansas Forest Service confirmed the presence of the emerald ash borer (EAB) in Nemaha County. This marks the second new county in Kansas this year where the invasive beetle has been detected.

The discovery was made in a private residence after officials identified a live insect, a key requirement to confirm the presence of the pest.

The emerald ash borer, an invasive species from eastern Russia and northeastern Asia, has devastated millions of ash trees across North America. Brought to the U.S. through infested packing material, the beetle continues to spread, threatening both urban and rural forests. To date, 70 million ash trees have been destroyed by the EAB, and officials predict as many as 9 billion ash trees in North America could eventually be wiped out.

In Kansas, the emerald ash borer has now been confirmed in 15 counties, including Nemaha, Lyon, Wyandotte, Johnson, Leavenworth, Douglas, Jefferson, Atchison, Doniphan, Shawnee, Miami, Jackson, Brown, Osage, and Franklin counties.

Landowners are encouraged to learn the signs of infestation, which include thinning tree canopies and D-shaped holes in the bark. Trees may also start to show epicormic sprouting, where new branches grow near the trunk or lower canopy. Forest officials urge landowners to develop a replacement plan for ash trees on their properties to maintain healthy landscapes that are resilient to future threats.

Those in counties where the emerald ash borer has already been detected are advised to consult certified arborists for treatment or removal of infested trees. Landowners in unaffected counties are encouraged to report any suspected cases to the Kansas Department of Agriculture or the Kansas Forest Service.

The Kansas Forest Service, in collaboration with K-State Research and Extension, continues to offer educational workshops and resources for managing emerald ash borer infestations. More information about treatment options and tree health is available online.

Additionally, Kansans are reminded not to transport firewood from areas where the pest has been detected, as this is a major factor in the spread of the emerald ash borer. Always source firewood locally to help protect the state's forests.

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