Emerald Ash Borer Found in Baltic

The South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources has confirmed the presence of the emerald ash borer in Baltic.

Baltic is in the existing quarantine area, which includes all of Minnehaha, Lincoln, Turner, and Union Counties. The quarantine is designed to slow the spread of the insect. The quarantine, which is in place year-round, prohibits the movement of firewood and ash materials out of the quarantined counties. Movement of firewood from any hardwood species, whether for commercial or private use, is also restricted.

 Emerald ash borer has been positively identified in three counties, Lincoln, Minnehaha, and Union, as well as seven communities including Baltic, Brandon, Canton, Crooks, Dakota Dunes, Sioux Falls, and Worthing.

If an ash tree is infested before it is cut, the wood may still contain EAB larvae. An individual split piece of ash firewood can have five or more adults emerge in the summer. EAB is a boring beetle that feeds on all species of North American ash. It was first detected in the United States in 2002, and in South Dakota in 2018.