The Emerald Ash Borer in Virginia: From Invasion to Management
Note: This article was updated on 12/13/25
When people travel between countries, they are often limited as to what they can transport across borders. This restriction exists because invasive species can devastate local ecosystems if introduced to a new environment. That is the story of the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB)—a story that has changed dramatically for Virginia homeowners over the last decade.
It is believed that this beetle entered the United States around the turn of the 21st century, likely arriving in packing materials sent from Asia. While early reports focused on containing the spread, the reality in 2025 is that the beetle is now firmly established across the Commonwealth.
The Silent Killer of Virginia's Ash Trees
The adult ash borer beetle causes little damage on its own. However, in its larval state, it is lethal. The larvae live inside the bark, feeding on the tree's vascular tissues (the phloem and cambium). This effectively cuts off the tree's ability to transport water and nutrients, starving it from the inside out.
Nationally, the pest has killed hundreds of millions of ash trees. In Virginia alone, the Department of Forestry estimates that nearly all untreated ash trees are at risk, threatening a species that is vital to our urban canopies and riparian forests.
Updated Regulations: The "Firewood" Rule has Changed
For years, the primary strategy was federal quarantine. You likely remember billboards warning against moving firewood. However, in January 2021, the USDA lifted the federal domestic EAB quarantine after determining that regulatory enforcement could not stop the beetle's natural spread.
While the federal "law" has changed, the best practice has not. Virginia experts still strongly urge residents to "buy local, burn local." Moving firewood remains the fastest way to introduce not just EAB, but other emerging threats like the Spotted Lanternfly or Spongy Moth, into new areas of the state.
The New Strategy: Treat or Remove
For property owners in Virginia, the conversation has shifted from "prevention" to "decision." If you have an ash tree on your property, you generally have two choices:
- Treatment (Preservation): Ash trees can be saved. Highly effective systemic insecticides (specifically emamectin benzoate) can protect trees for up to three years with a single trunk injection. This is often more cost-effective than removal for large, healthy shade trees.
- Removal: If a tree is already more than 30% compromised, treatment is rarely effective. Dead ash trees become brittle and dangerous very quickly ("ash snap"), creating a significant liability hazard for homeowners.
Financial Help for Virginia Residents
Recognizing the cost of preservation, the Virginia Department of Forestry (VDOF) occasionally offers cost-share programs (often referred to as the "Treat Your Ash" program) to assist municipalities and homeowners with the cost of treating high-value trees.
The days of simply watching the spread are over. Today, we have the tools to protect our landscape, but it requires proactive management.