Ash Borer Beetle Sparks Further Alarm in Kawartha Lakes, Ontario (VIDEO, PHOTO)
The emerald ash borer beetle (EAB) has been confirmed as being present in Kawartha Lakes, according to an announcement by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).
According to the agency, the emerald ask borer was discovered on two private properties near the Sandy Beach Road in Fenelon Falls.
Authorities have immediately moved to implement movement restrictions prohibiting the movement of all ash materials from the location. That means materials such as logs, branches and wood chips will all come under the prohibition.
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Property owners have been notified of the problem and the measures being taken, and authorities will now complete survey work before considering what other regulatory measures should be implemented.
The latest identification of emerald ash borers means that the presence of EAB has now been confirmed in 32 Ontario counties, and seven regions of the province of Quebec.
Officials have confirmed that the presence of the emerald ash borer beetles does not pose a risk to human health, but it is known to be a highly destructive insect that has already destroyed millions of ash trees in the Ontario, Quebec, and United States regions.
The spread of emerald ash borer beetles poses significant economic and environmental threats to both urban and forest regions in North America, and officials are moving into position to do all they can to contain any further outbreak from the latest find.
Officials will continue to review its surveillance, and restrictions put in place, and a focus will now be put on ensuring the emerald ash borer beetles do not get out from their current large consolidated areas to new areas where they are not currently present.
The CFIA has also approved the release of two stingless wasps as new biological control agents, which they hope will stem the spread of the emerald ash borer beetles.
For more information please visit the CFIA website at www.inspection.gc.ca/pests or by calling 1-866-463-6017.
