Spot the Purple Trap for EAB Awareness Week May 20-26
Look for purple traps like this one during EAB Awareness Week.
This is Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) Awareness Week. Before the Memorial Day holiday and summer travel season begin, we take this time to remind everyone to be careful not to spread the EAB unintentionally.
EAB is one of many “Hungry Pests” that can cause significant damage to our country’s natural resources. Since first being identified in 2002, EAB is responsible for the destruction of tens of millions of ash trees in 15 states in the Midwest and Northeast.
We use purple traps like the one shown in this photo to help us look for EAB. Traps are placed in 47 states. Have you seen any in your neighborhood or travels? If you see one, join our “Spot the Purple Trap” team. It’s simple:
- “Like” the Hungry Pests Facebook page
- Snap photos of any purple traps you see and post them on Facebook, along with the city/state where you saw them
We also want to ask for your help in keeping EAB from spreading. Some simple steps you can take:
- Don’t move firewood. EAB larvae can survive hidden in the bark of firewood. Remember: buy local, burn local.
- Inspect your trees. If you see any sign or symptom of an EAB infestation, contact your State Plant Health Director or State agriculture agency.
For more information about EAB, visit the Stop the Beetle website or the Hungry Pests website.
Tags: APHIS, EAB Awareness Week, emerald ash borer, Hungry Pests, plant pests, Plant Protection and Quarantine, purple traps
I saw 2 boxes. One on Willow Grove Hwy. in Allons,TN and one on Rolling Hills Dr. in Cookeville, TN
I can connect in the link for the FB page…would love to play along, I have seen more than 50 of those boxes!
I saw boxes hanging in trees all the was north from Lake George on Interstate 87. I also just saw one in Morris County NJ
Spotted my first trap here in Lewis County (upstate NY, east of Lake Ontario) this morning on the way to teach about invasive species (oddly enough) in my biology classes today! Perfect timing. Many EAB warning signs in the area now as well. Evidently the threat is moving inland from coastal Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence this summer.
Spotted one on Papermill Rd. Just before Phoenix Rd. maryland. I’ve seen others but never knew what they were.
6/5/2012
There a box on Oak Street in Oakland N.J. above the train tressel..Would have never guess it was to kill the Emerald beetle….
On the way up to Jones Gap State Park in Upstate SC, we spotted strange triangular purple boxes. Curiosity was peaked, and my friend actually touched the sticky surface. Lots of different bugs stuck on the purple surface. Do the insects like purple? What kind of lure is used? Now I am aware of the EAB threat. Great campaign!
Saw one in Fort Rigley State Park/MN!
Spotted 3-4 in Spotsylvania,VA and 1 in Woodbridge, VA. Finally googled what they were. Very interesting approach to lure EAB and study them.
What is in those? I live in Ottawa Ontario and I have not seen any of those in any ash tree. Nobody seems to be doing anything about them here in Ottawa. They just seem to be living with the EAB’s. What can I do to help…….
Due to Quebec and Ontario banning insecticides we have had an explosion in bug activity, Japanese beetles, ash borers, slugs, earwigs, and every other kind of pest. The government is making us really upset over all this. Try to keep a garden healthy here, because we can not spray these pets just eat the hole garden. I spend alot of money on my garden every year more then $1000 per year on plants, mulch, soil, and fertilizer. “Then along comes a beetle and eats all of my money away”.
Saw one on Rt. 633 (Vogel Rd) in Cumberland. Always wondered why it was there. This is the first yr. they have been in our county. Why isn’t there more info. to the public about this bug.
OMG! Why are we wasting tax dollars on this?!?! For hundreds of millions of years bugs have been killing trees. New ones grow to replace them. I like trees as much as anyone else but we should NOT borrow from our children to fund this.
Couple purple traps hear in prospect Ct. And ash borers as well.
Saw several of them on Rte 111A in Brentwood NH this afternoon. Had to come home and google it to learn more. Now I know what an Emerald Ash Borer is. AND…that the purple things I saw in the trees were not footstools. lol.
I saw one on Iconium Road in Woodbury, TN and one on Ivy Bluff Trail in Morrison,TN.
Bill needs to understand the value of trees. Ever hear of Dutch Elm Disease, or seen what the bark beetle has done to Colorados rocky mountain range? Ask Japan the value of trees since they now have to import most of their lumber because of their wasteful habits decades ago. The government can spend money wisely if we tell them we’re watching and demand positive results
Keith says that im a logger in ma.&CT. I HATE TO SEE IT COMING BUT ITS HERE ! BEST THING TO DO IS TO MANAGE OUR FORESTS BEFORE WE LOSE THEM.
yeah thats a good idea
just leave the ash borers be and take 200 sample seeds of all ash trees and put them in a safe or some pest free place after the ash borers are gone replant the ash trees
I live in a quarantined area, Platte Co, Mo. I have not seen any boxes in the area, but I’ve begun to treat the trees on my property, thanks to the efforts of people like you…trying to get the word out…Thanks!
Saw one in Callison, SC, a small community in the upstate. My 12 year old son and I were intrigued enough to stop and have a look.
There is one on Knox Campground Trail in Canton Ga. I had to stop and see what it was.
Saw one yesterday on Hwy 140 and another on Hickory Road in Canton GA
I jus saw one the other day goin down the hwy
I have seen two now in Palmersville, TN!
One in Montgomery County TN (Clarksville) on 41A South. Actually our 2nd driveway entrance. Lovely tree and pray it lives long. Will watch for EABs and notify local agriculture department if any activity.
There was one in an ash tree on Hwy 334 near Oxford, MS for about a month but it disappeared last week. Good to know what it was.
There is one located on St.Rd. 446, Bloomington, IN.