Invasive Pest Outreach: Focus Firewood

Firewood movement has proven to be a pathway for the movement of numerous invasive pests which are causing destruction in the states they’ve invaded. In Kentucky, emerald ash borer is known to be widely distributed throughout much of the state, walnut twig beetle and thousand cankers disease have been found in neighboring states and Asian longhorned beetle has been found in southern Ohio, approximately 10 miles from Kentucky’s border. At the University of Kentucky Office of the State Entomologist (KY OSE), we have been conducting outreach for many years about these pests and have been promoting the “Don’t Move Firewood” message. Kentucky joined the Firewood Scout program in 2016. A database such as Firewood Scout allows citizens to take the steps needed to prevent further movement of destructive pests. When the public has easy access to a list of approved vendors, they will more readily purchase local or certified heat-treated wood and curb the movement of forest pests. Information about this new tool has been added to the outreach talks and booths held by UK OSE personnel since Kentucky joined this program.