SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - A bug that's responsible for the loss of over 100 million ash trees in America in the last twenty years hasn't reached South Dakota, yet.
State Forester Greg Josten says efforts to combat the emerald ash borer are improving, meaning the longer it stays out of South Dakota the better our response will be when it arrives.
Josten says between a third and half of all community trees in the state are ash. He says the control efforts of the state and federal government, after the EAB arrives, will cost more than the control of the pine beetle in the Black HIlls.
He tells homeowners and communities to not treat ash trees for emerald borer because its a waste of money and chemicals. They aren't yet in South Dakota.
Josten says the borer travels with people and that's most likely in firewood from an infested tree. He says the first emerald ash borer could be found in the Black Hills after someone drags firewood to their campsite.
The state and City of Sioux Falls held a joint, field training exercise today at parks around the Big Sioux River and McKennan to practice the responce to future discovery of the bug.