The state of Kansas is setting some traps for the emerald ash borer.
The pest showed up in Wyandotte County in August 2012, then in Johnson County in 2013.
Now the state Department of Agriculture and U.S. Department of Agriculture will set 568 traps in other counties to see if the pest has arrived there.
A U.S. Department of Agriculture survey will monitor known emerald ash borer infestations and detect unknown beetle populations, according to a news release.
As a result of finding the pest here, KDA has implemented a permanent intrastate quarantine for certain firewood, nursery plants and mulch that is shipped in and out of Wyandotte and Johnson counties to prevent further spread of emerald ash borer in Kansas.
The quarantine applies to any corporation, company, society, association, partnership, governmental agency, and any individual or combination of individuals, according to KDA.
It prohibits movement of regulated items from the quarantined area, except under specific conditions established in the quarantine order.
Laurinda Ramonda, KDA state cooperative agriculture pest survey coordinator, said she hopes other infestations are not found in the state.
“These traps are an important monitoring tool,” she said. “In the event of infestation, early detection would help KDA limit the spread of emerald ash borer.” In the event of any infestation, it is recommended that professional exterminators such as Kansas City Pest Control deal with the issue, and Kansans are reminded to not attempt to find the pest themselves.
KDA will set up 80 traps in seven counties, including Barton, Bourbon, Douglas, Ellsworth, Leavenworth, Marion and Osage. The rest are being put up by USDA.
The purple, prism-shaped traps are coated with nontoxic glue. While they pose no risk to humans, pets or wildlife, the glue can be messy if touched. Kansans are encouraged to report downed traps to the Kansas Department of Agriculture at 785-862-2180.
