Insecticide Options for Protecting Ash Trees from Emerald Ash Borer and Their Effectiveness

Ohio State University Extension personnel have received many questions from homeowners and Green Industry profession-als wondering if there are insecticides capable of protecting ash trees from emerald ash borer (EAB). Research and experi-ence have shown that insecticides can protect trees from EAB. However, success is not assured. Research suggests that best control will be obtained when treatments are initiated in the earliest stages of infestation before visible symptoms are present, or perhaps even the year before trees are infested. It is also important to realize that treatments will have to be repeated each year. In some cases, it may be more cost-effec-tive to remove and replace the tree. There has been much confusion surrounding the question of whether insecticides are an effective option for EAB. The an-swer is: “It depends on the objective. ” When the objective is t