An Ontario approach to urban pest management: a case study for emerald ash borer

Abstract

The Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is an invasive insect pest that was imported to North America from Asia in packaging materials and shipping containers. It first became established in Detroit, Michigan and Windsor, Ontario in 2002. It quickly spread through Southern Ontario, decimating urban and natural ash populations. There are currently several options to control the outbreak of this pest as it continues to cause ecological and economic detriment. These measures include, but are not limited to, complete tree removal, or the injection of insecticides into the tree. Thus far, Thunder Bay, Ontario has done an excellent job protecting and mitigating both the overall effects and the spread of EAB to other areas of Canada. Climate change is an ever-encroaching possibility that creates larger problems for mitigation of beetle populations.