WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) — Officials say there’s evidence of the destructive emerald ash borer in Waterloo, a development that will restrict the transfer of wood materials out of Iowa.
The state Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship said Monday that the insect was positively located in a residential tree during routine maintenance. Additional trees within a 10-square block on the northeast side of Waterloo tested positive for infestation.
A statewide quarantine that will restrict some movement of hardwood firewood and other similar materials coming out of Iowa will be issued Tuesday.
State entomologist Robin Pruisner says communities throughout Iowa need to implement proactive measures to prepare for emerald ash borers, which kill ash trees. The recent discovery in Waterloo makes it the sixth location where the invasive insect has been found in Iowa.
