The Kansas Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Agriculture plan to set 163 Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) traps across the state to help prevent the spread of EAB and detect unknown populations.

An invasive insect that attacks and kills species of North American ash trees, EAB typically emerges during June and July. By setting EAB traps across Kansas, KDA is working to eliminate damage to the state’s ash tree population.

EAB greatly impacts the U.S economy making it imperative to be controlled. From the time EAB was first discovered in North America, the economic loss is estimated to be between $20 to $60 billion.

Newly infested trees often have no external symptoms, therefore, the pest can be incredibly challenging to identify. By EAB trapping, new populations of the borer can be identified and managed.

A majority of the EAB traps set by KDA are purple prism traps. This is a three-sided sticky prism designed to attract EAB. Other traps include Lindgren funnel traps coated with Fluon.

The EAB traps pose no harm to humans, pets or wildlife, but they can be messy if touched. It is recommended that no contact is made with the EAB traps. Kansans are encouraged to report downed traps to the Kansas Department of Agriculture at (785) 564-6698.

It is priority of KDA to protect natural resources, promote public health and safety, protect animal health and provide consumer protection to the best of its ability.

EAB trapping will occur in Atchison, Barton, Bourbon, Butler, Cherokee, Crawford, Doniphan, Douglas, Graham, Harvey, Jefferson, Labette, Linn, Neosho, Pawnee, Reno, Rooks, Riley, Russell, Shawnee, Sheridan, Sherman and Trego counties. Trapping will take place between the months of April and August.