ASIAN LONGHORNED BEETLE
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)

Q:  Why do you have to remove my trees in order to get rid of the Asian longhorned beetle?

A:  The ALB Cooperative Eradication Program relies on the cooperation of all residents in its efforts to eliminate this destructive pest from New Jersey and the United States.  This effort includes removing all known infested trees along with high risk exposed host trees, in order to stop the ALB from spreading to non-infested areas. 

Research has shown in order to stop the spread of the Asian longhorned beetle, all infested trees, along with high risk exposed host trees within a ¼ mile radius of known infested sites by ALB, need to be removed.  High risk exposed host trees, are trees that are likely to be found later infested with ALB if left standing.

This action is not being taken lightly. Leaving infested trees standing would surely lead to the infestation of more trees. In addition, because the beetle tunnels through the heartwood of the tree as it grows into an adult, infested trees become unstable over time and could pose a safety hazard, especially during storms or periods of high wind. 

Without the public support in this effort, the ALB could potentially spread and according to the U.S. Forest Service, 35 percent of the canopy cover in urban areas throughout North America could be at risk to an infestation by the ALB.  This is approximately 1.2 billion susceptible host trees.  Potentially, this could add up to $669 billion in losses if the ALB were to reach the urban and suburban forests of North America.

Q: Are you planning to use any pesticide treatments?

A:  In addition to removing all known infested trees, along with high-risk exposed host trees, program officials plan on treating non-infested susceptible trees within a ½ mile radius of known infestations with the insecticide imidacloprid, which has displayed promising results in past treatments in decreasing beetle populations and future tree losses.

The tree treatments are slated to begin in spring/early summer 2005.

Project officials will administer the treatments, through the use of contractors, by injecting the insecticide into the tree through small capsules placed at the base of the tree’s trunk, or through a hand-held hydraulic applicator that uses compressed air to inject the insecticide into the tree’s trunk, or by injecting it into the soil surrounding the tree.  Each site will be closely monitored. 

The insecticide is dispersed through the tree’s vascular system.  This enables the insecticide to reach ALB adults feeding on small twigs and leaves and the larvae feeding beneath the bark of host trees.  Imidacloprid is currently used in some store-bought lawn and garden products, by some lawn service companies to kill lawn grubs and in some domestic pet treatments to kill fleas. 

Project officials are optimistic that using imidacloprid will decrease beetle populations and future tree loss but advise that if a tree is infested it will be removed regardless of treatment.  The goal must be to eradicate this destructive insect from New Jersey and the United States.

Q: When will the infested trees be removed and who will remove them?

A:  In order to stop the spread of the Asian longhorned beetle, all infested host trees, along with high risk exposed host trees, in areas infested by ALB will be removed.  Our goal is to eradicate this destructive pest from New Jersey and the United States.  

We began removing the infested trees, along with the high-risk exposed host trees from the core of the infestation, most of which is located in Carteret and Woodbridge, with additional trees in Rahway and Linden, on November 29, 2004.  It is estimated that more than 5,400 host trees will have to be removed in order to prevent this destructive pest from spreading to non-infested areas of New Jersey and the United States.

The removal process consists of cutting, chipping and burning the trees and grinding down all the stumps.  It is estimated that this process will take months to complete. 

All the trees are being removed by a qualified contractor through a contract awarded by the New Jersey Department of Agriculture.  There will be no cost to residents for the removal of any trees under this program.

Q:   How many trees will you be removing?

A:  Program officials are looking at removing more than 5,400 host trees. This number includes the known infested trees, along with the high risk exposed host trees needed to be removed in order to stop the spread of the ALB to no-infested areas of New Jersey.  Our goal must be to eradicate this destructive pest from New Jersey and the United States.

The USDA and the New Jersey Department of Agriculture are currently removing more than 4,000 trees from the Middlesex/Union ALB infestation site, discovered earlier in the fall of 2004 and plan to remove an additional 1,400 trees within the city of Rahway.  The additional trees in Rahway need to be removed as a result of a discovery of an infestation there found during subsequent surveys.

Research has shown that host trees, trees the ALB likes to attack, within a 1/4 mile radius of an infested site are likely to be found later infested by the ALB if left standing.  It is for this reason that high risk exposed host trees need to be removed. Our goal must be to eradicate this destructive pest from New Jersey and the United States.  

As the tree removal process continues within the quarantine areas of the Middlesex/Union ALB infestation site, program officials are finding more infested trees originally thought to be high-risk exposed host trees.  To date more than 460 infested trees have been removed.

Our goal must be to eradicate this destructive pest from New Jersey and the United States.

Q:   If my tree is not infested, why do you have to cut it down?

A:  The most certain way to stop the spread of Asian longhorned beetle is to remove all the infested trees and any high-risk exposed host trees, located within a certain distance from known infested trees.

Research has shown that host trees, trees the ALB likes to attack, within a 1/4 mile radius of an infested site are likely to be found later infested by the ALB if left standing.  It is for this reason that high risk exposed host trees need to be removed. Our goal must be to eradicate this destructive pest from New Jersey and the United States.  

So, in order to be successful in the eradication of the ALB from New Jersey, the plan calls for the removal of all known infested trees along with high risk exposed trees that are likely to be found later infested with the ALB if left standing. 

Q: How do you determine which high-risk exposed host trees to remove?

A:  Research has shown that host trees, trees that the ALB likes to attack, within a 1/4 mile radius of an infested site are likely to be found infested by the ALB if left standing.  It is for this reason that high risk exposed host trees need to be removed.

In order to be successfully in eradicating the ALB from New Jersey, the removal of trees that the ALB attacks and infests is needed to halt it from spreading.  Our goal must be to eradicate this destructive pest from New Jersey and the United States.  

Q:  What will you do to me if I don't allow you to cut down my trees?

A:  The ALB Cooperative Eradication Program relies on the cooperation of all residents in its efforts to eliminate this destructive pest from New Jersey and the United States.  This effort includes having to remove all infested trees along with high risk exposed host trees, in order to stop the ALB from spreading to non-infested areas.  

While we hope to carry out this effort cooperatively, if necessary, we will explore the possibility of obtaining a court order to remove trees from one’s property.  This may result in fines and other legal actions.

Q: Will you be replacing the tree that you cut down?

A: A reforestation plan is being formulated to replace the trees removed with varieties of trees that are not susceptible to an ALB attack.  This will be a cooperative effort between the USDA Forest Service, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, and local, county, city and municipality officials.  Trees to be planted will be at no cost to the homeowner.

Q:  What are some species of beetle-resistant tree that I can plant on my property?

There are many different species of ornamental plants that the beetle does not attack, as well as a list of trees that are not recommended.  You can view them by clicking here.

Q:  How much is being spent to remove the trees?

A:  Currently $1.2 million in funds are available for the tree removal process in the Carteret ALB infestation program.

Q: How much is being authorized for the reforestation effort?

A: Currently $1.6 million in funds are available for restoration activities.

Q: How much funding does the ALB Program have?

A: For FY 2005, APHIS has $44.7 million available for the ALB Program.

Of the $44.7 million available in funding for Fiscal Year 2005, $23.1 million is being allocated to the New York ALB Program, $10 million to the Illinois program, and $ 11.6 million to the New Jersey Program.

Of the $11.6 million available to the New Jersey ALB Program, $2 million is being allocated to Jersey City and $9.6 million to Carteret.

Q: How will you determine where the beetle came from – the source of the infestation?

A:  Studies conducted by scientists at Cornell University and the People’s Republic of China, General Administration of Quality, Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine on DNA samples collected from adult Asian longhorned beetles at the Carteret infestation site have determined they differ genetically from samples on Asian longhorned beetles collected from New York City, Jersey City, Chicago and Toronto. These findings suggest the Carteret infestation is a separate introduction into the United States, and not a result of spread from Jersey City, New York City, Chicago or Toronto.

Additionally, a study being conducted by U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service scientists to age the Carteret infestation is currently estimating the infestation to be at least six years old.  The study dates the infestation back to 1998, prior to the implementation of the Solid Wood Packing Material Rule.

Investigators are looking for potential pathways by interviewing residents and businesses in the area.  Scientists are examining the DNA of the insects to determine the source.  Even through theses efforts, the exact source may not be found.

Q: How can the public support the program?

A: The public can support our survey efforts by looking for and reporting any sighting of the Asian longhorned beetle.  Residents can assist in the eradication effort by allowing project officials access to their property to inspect trees for signs of an ALB infestation, to remove any infested trees, high risk exposed host trees, and to treat non-infested susceptible host trees.

In order to prevent the artificial spread of the ALB, a 12.1 square-mile quarantine has been enacted that covers parts of the municipalities: Borough of Carteret, the City of Rahway, the City of Linden and the Avenel section of Woodbridge Township in New Jersey.  It should be noted that the quarantine area may expand due to the detection of additional infested trees.  

The public is asked not to remove regulated articles out of the quarantine areas, as movement of these articles can unintentionally increase the spread of an ALB infestation.  Articles include firewood (all hardwood species), green lumber and other wood materials living, dead, cut or fallen, including nursery stock, logs, stumps, roots, branches and debris of half an inch or more in diameter of many common urban and forest trees.

Anyone suspecting the presence of ALB should contact USDA or NJDA officials at 1-866-BEETLE-1 or (609) 292-5440.