Emerald ash borer quarantine expanded

REYNOLDSBURG, Ohio – A tiny pest is drawing huge attention across Ohio.
Ohio’s emerald ash borer quarantine has been expanded to include Lorain and Medina counties. And just last week, we reported the quarantine of Cuyahoga, Seneca and Warren counties.
Discovered. Ohio Department of Agriculture officials, while examining detection trees across the state, discovered an infested ash tree in Lorain County on the Ohio Turnpike near the Cuyahoga County line and in Medina County just south of U.S Route 224 on Interstate 71.
As a result, Lorain and Medina counties are now entirely quarantined to stop the continued spread of the pest through potentially infested materials.
It is illegal to move ash trees, parts of an ash tree and all hardwood firewood out of quarantined areas. Violators face fines up to $4,000.
Counties. Since it was first discovered in Ohio in 2003, emerald ash borer has been identified in 21 counties: Auglaize, Cuyahoga, Delaware, Defiance, Erie, Franklin, Fulton, Hancock, Henry, Huron, Lorain, Lucas, Marion, Medina, Miami, Sandusky, Seneca, Ottawa, Warren, Williams, Wood and Wyandot.
All or parts of these counties have been quarantined to stop the movement of firewood and ash logs, which are the largest contributors to the spread of emerald ash borer.
Ash trees infested with emerald ash borer typically die within five years.
Learn more. For more information on emerald ash borer, compliance information, or for the latest quarantine map, go to www.ohioagriculture.gov/eab or call 888-OHIO-EAB (888-644-6322).