To prevent the spread of exotic invasive pests like the Asian Longhorned Beetle, Emerald Ash Borer, Sirex Wood Wasp and Bark Beetles, Pennsylvania has banned the importation of out-of-state firewood, the Department of Agriculture announced this week.

“Invasive pests can have a detrimental effect on Pennsylvania’s hardwoods and nursery industries,” said Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff. “Because one of the easiest ways for these pests to spread is by people unintentionally moving infested products, we have decided to reduce the opportunity for accidental spread by limiting the transfer of certain wood products.”

Exotic pests can be transported long distance via human activity, including the movement of infested firewood. To minimize the spread of the pests, the movement of all firewood types and species into Pennsylvania is prohibited. Firewood includes all wood processed or unprocessed, coniferous or hardwood, meant for use in a campfire or other outdoor or indoor fire.

Kiln-dried, packaged firewood clearly marked with the producer’s name and address and labeled as “kiln dried” and/or “USDA Certified” are exempt from the quarantine.

The new quarantine is in addition to the existing four-county quarantine in western Pennsylvania – Allegheny, Beaver, Butler and Lawrence counties – that was issued following the recent detection of Emerald Ash Borer. The Emerald Ash Borer quarantine restricts the movement from the quarantine area of ash nursery stock, green lumber and any other ash material, including logs, stumps, roots and branches and, due to the difficulty in distinguishing between species of hardwood firewood, all hardwood wood chips and firewood.

Currently, there are no simple ways to get rid of the Emerald Ash Borer other than removing and destroying infested trees. There is no effective insecticidal spray program, preventative treatments or natural enemies to suppress populations of the insects.

For more information about the quarantine, call 717-772-5205 or visit the Emerald Ash Borer webpage or call 717-772-5229.

NewsClip: To Battle Bug, Out-of-State Firewood Barred

7/27/2007