Officials Urge Vigilance in Beetle Eradication As Interest Wanes

Conservation officials are urging residents to continues to watch for the Asian Longhorn Beetle in Brookline parks and gardens, though experts have inspected more than 3,300 trees without turning up any sign of the tree-killing insect.

"Two weeks have passed and no more beetles have been found,"  Larry Hawkins, a representative for the U.S. Department of Agriculture's eradication program, told a handful of residents last night. "It's not the number one news story in Boston anymore."

A group of about ten locals and activists gathered on the second floor of the Brookline Main Library on July 21 evening for an informal meeting regarding eradication efforts. Public interest in the beetle infestation, which was first announced July 5, has seemingly decreased since a meeting last week, when more than 30 attendees came with concerns.

But Hawkins said Brookline residents are still actively assisting conservation experts, and noted that the USDA still receives a steady stream of calls with sightings – all false so far.

"Hand them in – we're just glad people are looking," said Clint McFarland, the USDA Federal Program Manager. McFarland said they have received phone calls from residents as far away as Cape Cod and North Adams.

In addition, conservation experts have surveyed 3,363 trees since the discovery at Faulkner Hospital on July 2. Although no more beetles have been found, Brookline Tree Warden Tom Brady said Brookline could remain under a wood-waste quarantine for five years. If more beetles are found, the quarantined area could expand throughout the town.

While under quarantine, residents who have their trash picked up by the town will need to separate out any wood debris larged than 4 inches in length and 1 inch in diameter so officials can expect it. Properties owners without town pick-up must drop off large wood debris at designated sites.

McFarland and Brady could not say whether the infestation has been contained.

"We are very, very optimistic," McFarland said. He added that the research team has made great progress with inspections and have not experienced any setbacks so far.

Last year, the team experienced major delays in Worcestor due to the weather. Through almost an entire month of continuous rain in June, the team could not find signs of infestation on wet trees.

McFarland said Brookline residents have been extremely cooperative. In the past, he has met families who are hesitant to permit inspectors on their property out of concern for their own trees.

"People plant trees in their yards for specific [commemorative] reasons such as deaths and marriages," McFarland said.

Brady said he has also received many emails from residents intersted in chemical application, but notes that the treatments only work in the spring and before the beetle has reached the inside of a tree.

The federal inspection team has used chemical deterrents in Worcester, but not Brookline.

Officials believe that this infestation is directly related to the situation in Worcester, and note that similar circumstances plagued two cities in New Jersey where one was heavily infested and the other only had a handful of plagued trees. McFarland calls the situation in Boston a "satellite city" to Worcester.

Although the search has been successful so far, if left unmonitored, the Asian Longhorned Beetle could destroy thousands of trees in the Boston area. McFarland attributes the spread to humans who move and ship firewood.

"This sign that reads, 'free wood, no beetles' gives me nightmares," McFarland said. "Guess how [the beetles] got here? Humans moved them."

Brady announced Wednesday evening that the Brookline Schools are developing a new curriculum in September geared towards spotting the beetle and will have posters hung in clasroom. Brady also wants to communicate with private schools.

The USDA provides kid-friendly materials such as bookmarks and temporary tattoos, and pamphlets, fliers, and in-depth diagrams are also available at the library. Officials expect outreach efforts will continue for several months.

The next information session will be held at the Brookline Main Library on Thursday, July 29.