August is “Tree Check Month” Look for Asian Longhorned Beetle
ALB kills trees belonging to 12 genera in 9 plant families, including all native maples (Acer spp.), a preferred host.
If you find beetles or any of these ALB indicators, report it. In fact, if you find ANY suspicious signs or symptoms, report it! There is no harm in reporting something suspicious, even if it's not ALB. However, there is great harm if it is ALB, and it's not reported. Reporting gives ALB professionals a chance to investigate.
Here are the ways you can report suspicious symptoms:
Call the Ohio ALB eradication program office at 513-381-7180
Send an email message to ALB@agri.ohio.gov
NOTE: Always take pictures of the beetles, if possible. If beetles or larvae can be collected, place them in a jar and freeze them for identification.
The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has declared August to be “Tree Check Month” to alert the public to check trees for ALB. August was chosen because it’s the time of the year in North America when we can typically see the maximum number of adults.
Early detection is critical to the successful eradication of ALB both in terms of time and money. There’s always a possibility that ALB may slip through our U.S. border interdiction efforts, meaning we must stay alert to ALB no matter where we live in Ohio or elsewhere in the U.S.