Emerald Ash Borer found in Renville County near Danube

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has confirmed emerald ash borer (EAB) in Renville County for the first time. There are now 50 counties in the state with EAB. In Renville County, EAB infestations were found in the town of Danube along Highway 212.

To slow the spread of EAB, the MDA is enacting an emergency quarantine of Renville County. Quarantines limit the movement of firewood, mulch, and all ash material out of the quarantined areas.

EAB was first discovered in Minnesota in 2009. The insect larvae kill ash trees by tunneling under the bark and feeding on the part of the tree that moves nutrients up and down the trunk. Often, the trees show several signs of infestation because of this. Woodpeckers like to feed on EAB larvae, and woodpecker holes may indicate the presence of emerald ash borer. Also, EAB tunneling can cause the bark to split open, revealing characteristic S-shaped galleries underneath.

A virtual informational meeting for residents and tree care professionals will be held on Thursday, March 7, from 10-11 a.m. Experts from the MDA will give a brief presentation followed by a question-and-answer session.

Emerald Ash Borer Virtual Informational Meeting:
March 7, 2024
10–11 a.m.
Register at www.mda.state.mn.us/eab

The public will also have an opportunity to provide input on the proposal to add these county emergency quarantines to the state’s formal quarantine. The MDA is taking comments on the proposed formal quarantines now through April 12, and recommends adopting the quarantines on April 15. The proposed quarantine language can be found at www.mda.state.mn.us/eab.

Comments can be made during the virtual meeting or by contacting:

Kimberly Thielen Cremers
Minnesota Department of Agriculture
625 Robert Street North
St. Paul, MN 55155
[email protected]

There is more EAB information on the MDA website.