USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) works to eradicate Asian longhorned beetle (ALB). APHIS collaborates with State, Federal, and other partners to eliminate infestations using a combined approach. This includes imposing quarantines, conducting tree inspections, removing infested trees and high-risk host trees, and using a systemic insecticide when appropriate. Researching best practices and new methods while involving and informing residents is also a priority. The following provides information about current infestations and eradication efforts.
Announcements
We are half way through August, have you checked your trees yet? August is Tree Check Month! By participating in Tree Check Month, you can play a vital role in protecting trees and preventing the spread of invasive pests in your community. Throughout August, we asks everyone to look for signs of this destructive, invasive beetle by checking trees on your property and in your community for damage. ALB arrived in the United States in the 1990s in untreated wood shipping crates. Despite eliminating this pest from Illinois and New Jersey, the 30+ year battle continues in Massachusetts, New York, Ohio, and South Carolina. ALB is just one example of the costly and destructive biological threats our country faces. Left unchecked, ALB can cause infested trees to die. You still have time, check your trees for ALB today!
In Owensville, OH, USDA and Ohio Department of Agriculture staff from the ALB Eradication Program conducted outreach at the Natural Resources Day of the Clermont County Fair. Staff delivered valuable information about ALB, other invasive pests, and the PPQ mission of Safeguarding US Agriculture to about 150 fairgoers. On display were examples of ALB damage, engaging conversations on the dangers of transporting firewood, and contact information for the program were also provided to fairgoers. Way to go!
ALB in the United States
ALB is in 4 states: Massachusetts, New York, Ohio, and South Carolina. Eradication efforts eliminated infestations in Illinois and New Jersey. If you live in a quarantine area, please keep this tree-killing pest from spreading. Follow state and federal laws. These laws restrict the movement of woody material and untreated firewood.
SOUTH CAROLINA – First detection: May 2020
Regulated Area: 76.4 sq. miles in Charleston/Dorchester Counties
Infested Trees: 12,631
60 Charleston, 4,006 Hollywood, 2,298 Johns Island, 1,113 Ravenel
Removals: 19,082**
7,477 Infested, 11,605 High-Risk Hosts
Surveys: 13,407
Residents can dispose of regulated yard waste at Bees Ferry Road Convenience Center, 1344 Bees Ferry Road, 29414, or Hollywood Convenience Center, 5305 Highway 165, 29449. For more information, please call 843-973-8329 or click South Carolina.
** Due to high-risk host removals and acreage cuts, the actual number of trees removed is unknown.
OHIO – First detection: June 2011
Regulated Area: 44 sq. miles* in Clermont County
Tate and Williamsburg Townships
Infested Trees: 21,917
34 East Fork Recreational Area, 48 Monroe Township, 19,490 Tate Township, 3 Stonelick/Batavia Township
Removals: 116,461
21,902 Infested, 94,559 High-Risk Hosts
Surveys: 123,272
The wood disposal yard located at 2896 State Route 232 in Bethel is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Wood chips are available for residents from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. on the first Saturday of every month. For more information, please call 513-381-7180 or click Ohio.
* Monroe Township was eradicated in September 2018, resulting in a reduction of the regulated area by .5 sq. miles. Stonelick and Batavia Townships were eradicated in March 2018, resulting in a reduction of the regulated area by 5 sq. miles.
MASSACHUSETTS – First detection: August 2008
Regulated Area: 97.7 sq. miles* in Worcester County
Infested Trees: 24,209**
1 Auburn, 6 Boston, 1,413 Boylston, 233 Holden, 1,097 Shrewsbury, 699 West Boylston, 20,760 Worcester,
Removals: 36,265**
24,203 Infested, 12,056 High-Risk Hosts
Surveys: Inspections continue
The wood disposal yard is located at 0 Dr. Paul Ware Drive in Boylston and is open Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. For more information, please call 508-852-8090 or click Massachusetts.
* Boston (Suffolk County) declared eradication in 2014, resulting in a reduction of the regulated area by 10 sq. miles. ** Due to additional host trees removed through acreage cuts within the regulated area, the actual number of infested trees and the actual number of trees removed is unknown.
NEW YORK – First detection: August 1996
Regulated Area: 42.9 sq. miles* in Nassau/Suffolk County
Infested Trees: 7,275
2,923 Amityville, 2,327 Brooklyn, 27 Islip, 110 Manhattan, 1,831 Queens, 57 Staten Island
Removals: 24,438
7,275 Infested, 17,166 High-Risk Hosts
Surveys: Inspections continue
For more information, please call 866-265-0301 or click New York.
* Portions of Long Island were removed from the quarantine in 2024, resulting in a reduction of the regulated area by 10.1 sq. miles. Brooklyn and Queens were eradicated in 2019, resulting in a reduction of the regulated area by 58 sq. miles. A new infestation detected in the Amityville area in 2013 resulted in an increase of the regulated area by 28 sq. miles. Manhattan (New York County) and Staten Island (Richmond County) were eradicated in 2013, resulting in a reduction of the regulated area by 26 sq. miles. Islip (Suffolk County) was eradicated in 2011, resulting in a reduction of the regulated area by 7 sq. miles.
Research
USDA laboratories conduct research to learn more about the beetle. Field studies, trials, and laboratory research over the years generates information that is vital in developing the protocols used today to fight the beetle.
Resources
Latest Maps
Informational Webpages
Outreach Materials
Social Media
Facebook @asianlonghornbeetle
Flickr @asianlonghornedbeetle
X @StopALB
YouTube @BeetleBusters
Reminders
If you live in a quarantine area, you can help by allowing program officials access to your property. Access is to perform tree surveys and remove infested and, in some cases, high-risk host trees. Also, hire companies that have compliance agreements with the eradication program for working on host trees. And don't move wood out of regulated areas. Moving wood out of regulated areas can spread the beetle and other tree pests and diseases to new areas.
Report ALB
If you think you’ve found ALB or an infested tree, record the area, capture the insect, and take digital pictures. Then contact the eradication program operating in your state. Or you can call the ALB hotline at 866-702-9938 or report online.