Check Your Trees For Invasive Insects This August

SEATTLE, WA — Environmental experts are asking the public to check the trees around their homes and in their neighborhoods for some invasive insect species that threaten Washington's ecosystem.

The Washington Invasive Species Council says a thorough check will take just 10 minutes, but can be invaluable in protecting the state's forests.

“State and federal agencies do a fantastic job at preventing the introduction of invasive species to the United States, but occasionally some slip through,” said executive coordinator of the Washington Invasive Species Council Justin Bush. “When a new invasive species is introduced, we need to know as quickly as possible so we can stop its spread.”

August is the perfect time to spot invasive critters, because it's the season when wood-boring bugs leave the trees and can be spotted out in the open. In particular, they're hoping the public will spot these four invasive bugs:

The Invasive Longhorned Beetle

Longhorned beetle larvae feed on the wood of a tree, and burrow out of trees as adults. Both processes can severely weaken trees, and the state says they're particularly dangerous to hardwood trees. The beetles are not known to currently be in Washington, but they have been spotted here several times in the past.

The Emerald Ash Borer

Like its name suggests, the ash borer attacks and kills ash trees by burrowing under the trees bark to eat its delicious sap. That process slowly kills the tree by deriving it of water and nutrients, leaving it to wither. Ash Borers have yet to be seen in Washington, but have recently been making their way west across the U.S.

The Spotted Lanternfly

The spotted lanternfly attacks a tree like a mosquito might attack your arm: piercing the bark and sucking out the goo inside. Spotted lanternflies attack all sorts of plants and trees, including apple trees, cherries, grapes, plums, walnuts and even hops. Normally the spotted lanternfly can only be found out east, but were recently seen in California.

The Asian Giant Hornet

The so-called "murder hornet" has been causing a bit of a stir after a few dead wasps were recently spotted in Whatcom County. While they can be dangerous to humans, the hornets normally attack and kill honey bee colonies.

How to help out

If you want to help catch these critters before they can hurt our trees, the Washington Invasive Species Council says to just take 10 minutes and search the trees surrounding your home. If you think you see an invasive species, take a picture and send it in over the Washington Invasives mobile app, or on the Washington Invasive Species Council's website. Try to make sure the photos aren't blurry and have enough detail to accurately identify the bug, and if possible include something like a coin or a pencil in the photo so researchers can tell the insects size.

You can also help by only using firewood near where you bought or chopped it: invasive bugs can hide in the wood so taking it long distances may help them spread. The state also encourages everyone to check bags and boxes before moving them long distance, because bugs could easily hide out in those to hitch a ride.

Read more from the Washington Invasive Species Council.