Emerald Ash Borer (EAB), Agrilus planipennis

Maine Quarantine on Emerald Ash Borer

The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry is proposing changes to the state's emerald ash borer quarantine.

A virtual public hearing is scheduled for March 16, 2021, from 10:00 to 11:00 AM. Anyone interested in making public comments may join the meeting using MS-Teams or by telephone at (207) 209-4724 - confirmation code: 390 166 010#.
Written comments may be submitted until 5 PM April 2, 2021, to gary.fish@maine.gov or Gary Fish, Maine DACF – Horticulture, 28 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333-0028.

map of emerald ash borer quarantine in MaineCurrent Quarantine Area: The quarantine area includes all of York County, all of Cumberland County, parts of Oxford County, and the northeastern corner of Aroostook County. The quarantine boundaries were drawn to include a buffer on those towns where EAB had been detected. EAB was found in northern Aroostook County in May 2018, western York County in September 2018, and Cumberland County in September 2019.


emerald ash borer adult on head of penny

The emerald ash borer (EAB), Agrilus planipennis, is one of the most serious invasive species threatening our ash resources and forests. All species of (Fraxinus) ash trees, but not (Sorbus) mountain ash, that grow in Maine are susceptible to injury and death by the emerald ash borer.

EAB was first found in Aroostook County (Madawaska, Frenchville, and Grand Isle), and York County (Acton, Berwick, and Lebanon), ME in 2018. It was detected in Cumberland County (Portland) in September 2019.

Report a Suspect

What's New

February 24, 2021 - Maine Slows Spread of Emerald Ash Borer with Continued Ash Movement Restrictions
January 14, 2021 - Maine Forest Service Issues Emerald Ash Borer Emergency Order
January 6, 2021 - Maine Agricultural and Forestry Leaders Commit to Slowing the spread of Emerald Ash Borer as USDA Announces Plans to Roll Back Regulations
November 19, 2020 - Seven Additional Maine Towns Found to Have Emerald Ash Borer
March 17, 2020 - Revisions to Maine Quarantine Rules for Emerald Ash Borer and Hemlock Woolly Adelgid
April 17, 2019 - Maine Quarantine on Emerald Ash Borer Announced
March 8, 2019 - Emerald Ash Borer Found in a Third Town in Southern Maine
September 19, 2019 - Proposed Rule to Deregulate the Domestic Emerald Ash Borer Quarantine Questions regarding the elimination of the federal quarantine

EAB Identification

adult emerald ash borer
EAB and Lookalikes
Ash Trees Can you identify an ash tree?
Signs and Symptoms of Infestation
Report a Suspect Either the beetle or signs of infestation

Maps, Regulations & Quarantine Information

EAB quarantine map
EAB State Quarantines:
U.S. Maps Known infested areas in the U.S.
Firewood Ban Maine's Emergency Order banning out-of-state firewood
Canadian rules regarding importing ash from the U.S. and quarantined areas Implications for Maine ash exporters.
Best Management Practices for Handling Ash within Regulated Areas (PDF) Slow the spread within quarantine areas.
Guidance for Solid Waste Handlers (PDF) Dealing with potentially infested ash in and outside quarantine areas.
Memo to Tree Sellers From Maine's State Horticulturist

Caring for Ash Trees & Managing Forests

EAB management
Best Management Practices for Handling Ash within Regulated Areas (PDF) Slow the spread within quarantine areas.
Guidance for Maine Forest Managers
Guidance for Solid Waste Handlers (PDF) Dealing with potentially infested ash in and outside quarantine areas.
For Homeowners: Ash Treatment Guide (PDF)
Information for Maine Landowners (PDF)
Insecticide Options for Protecting Ash Trees from Emerald Ash Borer (PDF)
Municipal Management Plan - Sample (PDF)

Surveillance, Outreach, Involvement

survey, outreach, involvement
Biosurveillance Monitoring for EAB with the Cerceris wasp
Monitoring for EAB with Traps (PDF) Resource for municipalities and others to purchase monitoring supplies
Purple Trap Survey USDA's detection trap
Trap Tree Network Girdling an ash for EAB detection
Phenology Model of Emerald Ash Borer Predicting EAB emergence with degree-day data external link
Tree-Tagging Helping the public appreciate the value of trees
Volunteer Resources Free items to help spread the word

Additional Resources

faq
Emerald Ash Borer General Presentations (2019-2020):
DACF Emerald Ash Borer Update for Cities and Towns (August 24, 2020):
Emerald Ash Borer Municipal Forum Presentations (December 2019):
The Story of Emerald Ash Borer a pictorial essay about EAB by the U.S. Department of Agriculture
Emerald Ash Borer Detection in Maine (YouTubeexternal link) Pest and Disease Scouting & Management Activities For Landowners

FAQs

faq
General Basic frequently asked questions about EAB
Quarantine Questions commonly asked about Maine's EAB quarantine (PDF)


Maine Bug Watch