REYNOLDSBURG — Following recent confirmations of emerald ash borer in Wayne National Forest, and taking into account the infestations in surrounding states, the Ohio Department of Agriculture today expanded the state’s emerald ash borer quarantine to include all 88 counties.

The quarantine stipulates that ash materials and hardwood firewood cannot be taken from a quarantined area into a non-quarantined area. Despite the fact that quarantining the whole state will allow for ease of movement of ash materials and hardwood firewood, it is recommended that Ohioans continue to exercise caution when moving these materials.

“Limiting firewood movement helps the state protect against the artificial spread of many pests in addition to emerald ash borer, including gypsy moth and Asian

longhorned beetle,” said Ohio Agriculture Director Robert

Boggs. “The department strongly urges Ohioans to continue

buying firewood locally.”

The federal quarantine, enforced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, remains in effect. This quarantine makes it illegal to transport ash trees, parts of ash trees and all hardwood firewood out of the state of Ohio.

Ash trees infested with emerald ash borer typically die within five years.

The pest belongs to a group of metallic wood-boring beetles. Adults are dark green, one-half inch in length, one-eighth inch wide and fly from early May until September.

Larvae spend the rest of the year beneath the bark of ash trees and leave D-shaped holes in the bark about one-eighth inch wide when they emerge as adults.

For information on the emerald ash borer, visit www.agri.ohio.gov.