City of Brandon Stepping Up Emerald Ash Borer Monitoring Program


December 12, 2017

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Brandon, MB – In response to the Province of Manitoba’s confirmation of the presence of the Emerald Ash Borer Beetle within the City of Winnipeg, the City of Brandon wishes to inform citizens that it will be stepping up its monitoring efforts for the invasive insect in ash trees on public property.

The wood-boring beetle exclusively attacks ash trees and though native to Asia, the beetle has migrated to North America. After being detected in parts of eastern Canada in recent years, it was confirmed earlier this month to be present in Winnipeg. Click here for more information about the Province of Manitoba’s confirmation of the Emerald Ash Borer Beetle in Winnipeg.

While the City of Brandon wishes to stress that it has NOT found any evidence that the Emerald Ash Borer Beetle is present in Brandon, its Community Services Department will be significantly increasing the number of pheromone traps being hung in City-owned ash trees across the community, and will step up the process of visual inspection and branch sampling done by its staff. Early detection is often the most effective tool in management of the forest pest.

Residents can play a very important role in preventing the potential spread of the Emerald Ash Borer Beetle by NOT moving any type of firewood. The public is encouraged to buy firewood locally and leave it at its original point of purchase. Residents are also encouraged to familiarize themselves with the species of trees that they may have on their property and familiarize themselves with the signs and symptoms of the presence of Emerald Ash Borer. Information about the Emerald Ash Borer Beetle can be found on the Province of Manitoba’s website at https://www.gov.mb.ca/sd/forestry/health/eab.html.

Residents who wish to receive more information on the Emerald Ash Borer Beetle, or who may wish to report an ash tree that may be displaying any signs of Emerald Ash Borer, are encouraged to contact the City of Brandon Community Services Department at 204-729-2148.