New ash borer infestations discovered - KTTC Rochester, Austin, Mason City News, Weather and Sports

MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL, Minn. (KTTC) -- The Emerald Ash Borer continues to be a problem in Minnesota. Three new infestations have been found.

Two are in St. Paul and one is in Minneapolis. On January 29, 30 and 31 the Minnesota Department of Agriculture followed up on suspected EAB infested trees reported by the Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board Forestry Department and the St. Paul City Forestry Unit.

The infestations were discovered when it was noticed that woodpeckers were feeding off ash trees in the area.

The trees were confirmed infested by removing bark revealing the distinctive "S"-shaped tunneling on the surface of the wood. Officials estimated those particular trees have been infested for 3 to 4 years.

The Emerald Ash Borer has killed tens of millions of ash trees in 18 states. Its larvae kill ash trees by tunneling into the wood and feeding on the tree's nutrients. Infestation signs include one-eighth inch, D-shaped exit holes in ash tree bark and winding tunnels under the bark.