Yes, the emerald ash borer (EAB) has been discovered in Littleton, Colorado. Arapahoe County has confirmed these findings. The first confirmed case was found in June 2023 in a tree near the border of Englewood, Greenwood Village, and Centennial. EAB is an invasive insect that infests and kills ash trees. It is native to Asia and was first discovered in the United States in 2002. Since then, it has spread to 35 states, including Colorado.
EAB is a serious threat to ash trees in Colorado. It is estimated that there are over 1 million ash trees in the state, and if EAB is not controlled, it could kill all of them. EAB can kill an ash tree in as little as three years.
There are a number of things that can be done to protect ash trees from EAB, including:
- Inspecting trees regularly for signs of infestation: EAB adults are small, green beetles with black spots. They are about 1/2 inch long and have a long, slender snout. Larvae are white and C-shaped. They can be found under the bark of ash trees.
- Treating infested trees: There are a number of insecticides that can be used to treat infested ash trees. Treatment should be done by a professional arborist.
- Removing infested trees: If an ash tree is infested and cannot be treated, it should be removed. This will help to prevent the spread of EAB to other trees.
If you have ash trees in your yard, it is important to be aware of the threat of EAB and to take steps to protect your trees. Contact Donovan Arborists at 303-623-8733 or send us an online request form to request more information about protecting your Ash trees from this invasive species.
You can learn more about EAB from the Colorado State Forest Service website: https://csfs.colostate.edu/forest-management/emerald-ash-borer/
