Ben Pifher/MDN An ash borer larva is preserved in alcohol at the NDSU Extension office.

An NDSU Extension agent in Minot offers information about the emerald ash borer. Adult beetles were found in a trap in Edgeley, 39 miles south of Jamestown, last week. North Dakota is the 37th state to find the beetle.

Officials are still doing analysis to make sure the beetle is only present in LaMoure County and the county is currently in quarantine, according to Emily How. She said no hardwoods are to be moved in or out of the county, and officials are surveying trees in the area and neighboring counties to determine the area affected by the infestation.

The emerald ash borer is a highly destructive invasive species, originating from Asia when it arrived in the U.S. in the early 2000s. There are theories that state it was brought to North America through shipped goods packing material.

The emerald ash borer is a slow moving beetle, How said, so unless neighboring counties become infested, local infestation is not imminent.

“Be mindful, prepare, know what your trees are and know what their normal looks like,” How said.

It’s important to know what trees are on a property and what they look like in their normal state. Not all trees look perfect, even though they are perfectly healthy but when they start to show signs of infestation, it’s important to contact officials from the Extension office, city forester or Department of Agriculture.

“Education is a big way people can help,” How said, explaining different resources available to people to become knowledgeable about the insect. There are resources available online.

“Knowing if you have any ash trees on your property and what their normal is, is huge,” How said. She said if someone wants to replace ash trees on their property, diversification of species is very helpful, which she stressed.

The Minot city forester is tracking the beetle, as well as the state forester, How said, “Those agencies are currently working with the Department of Agriculture to figure it out, and plans are already in action because of the anticipation of the beetle.”

“Not a whole lot is going to be changing,” How said, as she again stressed diversification and not moving firewood. She also said that while treatment for individual trees is available, it is not necessary yet. She said to be aware that Minot has no contractors currently certified to treat the beetle.