Destructive emerald ash borer found in B.C. for the first time

The emerald ash borer has been devastating trees in Canada for years, and in 2024 it was found in BC for the first time. This invasive wood boring beetle, originating from China, was first detected in Canada in 2002. Metallic green in color and measuring around 1 centimeter in length, it’s a larva that kills the trees by boring into the wood, disrupting nutrient flow and causing tree death. Within one to five years, the beetles fly to spread larvae, traveling up to 10 kilometers annually. Since they arrived in North America, they’ve destroyed 99% of ash trees in their path, amounting to hundreds of millions. Hot, dry conditions can make things worse by speeding up tree death and reducing the effectiveness of insecticides. It can be difficult to spot an infestation early, but signs include bark deformities, woodpecker feeding holes, yellow leaves, and distinctive D shaped holes. One way to slow the spread of the ash borer is to refrain from transporting firewood, because moving it around could introduce infestations to new areas. When camping, only used locally sourced firewood and leave it behind when you go. The future of ash trees may depend on it.