The Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) is performing targeted firewood inspections and seizing hardwood firewood being transported out of Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) quarantined areas or into the Upper Peninsula with the goal of halting the artificial spread of the invasive beetle.

Movement of hardwood firewood is the primary means of artificially spreading this exotic, highly destructive pest. EAB larvae live and feed undetected beneath the bark of ash trees, making any piece of ash firewood a potential vehicle for the accidental transport of the insect. Even firewood appearing sound could be carrying EAB larvae under the bark and wreak havoc on an area.

Regulatory teams monitoring random rest areas and roadways around the quarantined area are performing targeted inspections. Individuals violating the state’s EAB quarantine (20 counties in Southeast Michigan and 19 outlying infestations) are subject to fines ranging from $1,000 to $250,000 and jail time of up to five years for moving regulated ash materials, including hardwood firewood.

“MDA is intercepting potentially infested firewood and halting the spread of EAB into other areas of the state,” said Patricia Lockwood, EAB policy director for Governor Jennifer Granholm. “These unannounced blitzes offer greater assurance that Michigan travelers are adhering to the state’s EAB quarantine and preserving our natural heritage.”

Emerald Ash Borer is an exotic, aggressive beetle native to Asia and discovered in Southeast Michigan in 2002. To date, EAB has been responsible for the death or damage of approximately 15 million of the state’s ash trees.

For more information about Emerald Ash Borer, please visit one of these Web sites: www.michigan.gov/eab or www.emeraldashborer.info. You may also contact your regional MDA office, local Michigan State University Extension office or conservation district office.