EMERALD ASH BORER CARNAGE CONTINUES

Several years back when the beetle was first reported in south western Ontario it was felt that Ontario's winters would limit its' northern march. Unfortunately that isn't happening so far. The emerald ash borer has now been found past Goderich in Ripley, Point Clarke and even north of Owen Sound. Besides removing and destroying dead trees there is very little available to stop the beetle and spare ash trees. Innoculations per tree are possible but prohibitively expensive. Plus each innoculation only lasts for two years. Experiments are underway with introducing a parasitic wasp to kill the ash borer when in the larvae stage.

Once the insect has infested an area up to 98% of the ash trees will die. It is believed that many of these insects entered Canada via wooden shipping containers bringing in "cheaper" Chinese manufactured products. One could suggest that this invasive species is a direct result of Canadian manufacturers finding another method of lowering costs. Or in the alternative it is yet another example of "externalizing" costs. Increse one's own personal profit at the expense of society and the environment. Last Saturday's Waterloo Region Record carrys this story "Beetle that kills ash trees spreads".