Emerald ash borer traps to be placed in northern Kentucky

LEXINGTON, Ky., (May 27, 2008) Bright purple 1-foot-by-2-feet triangular objects resembling box kites will be used to detect adult emerald ash borers in northern Kentucky starting in mid- to late-May. These traps will be baited with a manuka oil beetle attractant and glue to lure and capture emerald ash borers.

"These traps were designed to catch EAB (emerald ash borer) beetles that are active in the areas; they won't attract infestations. Research has shown this to be the most effective survey tool that is available," said Lee Townsend, UK extension entomologist. "We ask that people do not disturb the traps during the survey for this destructive pest."

Traps will be set out on a grid system of approximately 2,500 survey points in counties north of Interstate 64 in Kentucky. Traps will be located along the edges of woodlots, except in areas where ash trees are not present. They will also be placed at campgrounds and other locations in Kentucky with high camper and tourist traffic, including Land Between the Lakes, Bernheim Arboretum, Mammoth Cave National Park and Lake Cumberland. These sites were chosen because long distance movements of emerald ash borers have been linked to the movement of firewood from infested areas.

Traps will be placed at least 5 feet off the ground in the branches of selected trees, preferably ash trees. However, if that is not possible, another tree species will be used. If emerald ash borers are in the area, they will be drawn to the trap regardless of what kind of tree holds the trap.

Individuals working for the Kentucky State Entomologist’s staff will be placing traps in trees on both public and private land. Emerald ash borer survey employees will be hanging traps in trees through at least early June. They will remove the traps in late August.

Anyone interested in volunteering ash trees as trap sites should contact Janet Lensing, state survey coordinator, at 859-257-5838 or jrlens@@uky.edu.

More information about the emerald ash borer is available online at http://www.emeraldashborer.info. If you find an ash tree in Kentucky that you think is infested by the emerald ash borer please call the USDA APHIS Emerald Ash Borer Hotline 866-322-4512 or the Office of the State Entomologist, 859-257-5838.

Contact: John Obrycki, 859-257-7450; Lee Townsend, 859-257-7455

Keep the brakes on planting a little longer

Record and near record warm temperatures have many corn producers jumping at the chance to get out in the field and plant corn, but it may be best to wait a little longer, said Chad Lee, extension...
read more

Early summer could come at a price, UK ag meteorologist cautions

Photo depicts damage to apple trees after the Easter Freeze in 2007.

Without looking at the calendar, Kentuckians might easily be fooled into thinking...
read more

The Arboretum gears up to host a Party for the Planet

The Arboretum, on the campus of the University of Kentucky in Lexington, is partnering with LG&E and KU Energy LLC to offer a month-long celebration called Party for the Planet 2012, with activities for...
read more