Emerald Ash Borer Now Discovered in All of Iowa’s 99 Counties

The final Iowa county has fallen to the Emerald ash borer invasion. 

The invasive insect that destroys ash trees was discovered recently in an ash tree in Armstrong in Emet County in northwest Iowa, marking the 99th county with an infestation. 

The first EAB infestation was discovered in Allamakee County in eastern Iowa in 2010. The insect was first discovered in Delaware County in 2018.

There were an estimated 54 million woodland ash trees and three million in urban areas when the outbreak was first discovered. 

Many infected ash trees were cut down, and some were also cut down as a precaution. Some tree owners have opted to treat their ash trees to keep them alive as long as they can.

story contribution courtesy of Radio Iowa