New pesticide shows promise in fighting EAB

While we don't have the emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis, "EAB") here in Massachusetts, other states are not so lucky. Now there may finally be some good news about beating this pest. As reported over at the Illinois Cooperative Agriculture Pest Survey Program blog, Illinois has just registered a promising new pesticide, Emamectin Benzoate, for use against the beetle. Sold under the trade name Tree-äge™ (pronounced "triage"), EB is a systemic insecticide, and is applied as a trunk injection at the base of ash trees.

State agencies in Massachusetts remain on the lookout for the emerald ash borer. To learn more about this wood-boring invader, check out our pest fact sheet.