Lake County News Sun - Beware of Hitchhiking Pest

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Lake County News Sun - Beware of Hitchhiking Pest

With winter quickly approaching, officials are reminding residents that several Illinois counties including Lake are in an emerald ash borer quarantine area, and firewood should not be transported out of the area.

"This time of year many families stock up on firewood and take it with them as they travel during the holiday season," U.S. Rep Mark Kirk, R-Highland Park, said Monday.

"It's important to remember that the emerald ash borer came to the United States in firewood or other wood-packing material, so it is critical that we don't contribute to the further spread of the beetle," Kirk said. "Make sure to shop from local, reputable buyers and never take firewood outside of the quarantine area."

In addition to Lake County, the counties of Cook, Boone, DeKalb, DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kankakee, Kendall, LaSalle, McHenry, Putnam, Will and Winnebago are under the state quarantine, as are portions of Ogle, Lee, Bureau and Livingston counties.

The ash borer, a beetle from Asia that was discovered in the U.S. near Detroit in 2002, has destroyed millions of ash trees and threatens significant damage in Illinois. It has already been found in part of Cook County, including Wilmette and Winnetka.

The metallic green beetle is about half the diameter of a penny and is usually found on or near ash trees that are showing signs of disease or stress. Another sign of infestation is the location of D-shaped holes in the bark, trunk or branches of ash trees.

Kirk also outlined legislation he has introduced known as the Emerald Ash Borer Municipality Assistance Act of 2007. The bill would establish a loan fund for cities to assist in the removal, disposal and replacement of ash trees within quarantined areas.
The bill ensures that local authorities have the necessary funds to quickly identify and remediate ash borer infestations, he said.

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