The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has confirmed the presence of emerald ash borer (EAB - Agrilus planipennis) in the City of Vancouver, British Columbia. These detections, which are outside of currently regulated areas for emerald ash borer in Canada, are the first detections of EAB larvae in BC.
Emerald ash borer is a highly destructive insect that attacks and kills ash trees (Fraxinus sp.). It is a federally regulated pest in Canada. EAB is currently found in parts of six provinces and is spreading to new areas via the movement of firewood and ash material (such as logs, branches and wood chips). This pest poses no threat to human health.
The CFIA has put movement restrictions in place to protect Canada's landscape and economy by preventing the spread of emerald ash borer to non-infested areas of Canada. Effective April 2024, the movement of all ash material such as logs, branches, and woodchips, and all species of firewood from the affected sites, is restricted. The property owners in the affected area have been notified of these restrictions.
Infested ash trees in North America generally die after two to three years, but heavily infested trees have been observed to die after only one year of beetle attack. In Alberta the number of ash trees growing in municipalities can often reach as high as 40%!
EAB is not listed under the Agricultural Pests Act (APA) making it difficult to prevent and control EAB in Alberta. Having a pest named on the act empowers urban and rural municipalities to enforce control measures under the authority of the APA. Landscape Alberta along with other stakeholders like STOPDED, ISA Prairie Chapter, Alberta Parks & Recreation Association (APRA) and others will be asking for immediate action from the Provincial government to help protect the nursery industry and Alberta’s urban forests.