It’s Here; EAB Infestation Confirmed Near Rochester

The dreaded Emerald Ash Borer has arrived in the Rochester area.

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture has confirmed an EAB infestation just south of Rochester near the interchange of I-90 and Highway 63. The site is about 45 miles away from the nearest confirmed EAB infestation at Great River Bluff State Park in Winona County.

“While EAB can move on its own, we suspect this new infestation was caused inadvertently though human assistance,” said MDA Entomologist Mark Abrahamson. “This is why it’s so critical that people be aware of and follow the quarantine. We will greatly reduce the risk of EAB spreading around the state if people stop moving firewood and other ash materials.”

The discovery near Rochester means Olmsted County will be joining Winona, Houston, Ramsey and Hennepin Counties in a state and federal quarantine aimed at preventing the spread of the tiny damaging green beetle. The quarantine limits the transport of any items that might be infested by EAB, including ash trees, ash tree limbs, and all hardwood firewood.

The Emerald Ash Borer was first detected in Minnesota in 2009 at a site along the Mississippi River in Houston County. Officials estimate the insect has already killed tens of millions of trees in 24 states since the EAB was accidentally introduced into North America.

Minnesota has about one billion ash trees, which is the most of any state in the nation.