Florida regulators hot against pests in firewood

Florida regulators hot against pests in firewood The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has warned out-of-state campers, who may bring along their own firewood, about the dangers of introducing destructive tree pests to the state’s forests.
   Several species of destructive wood-boring beetles and diseases can be found in popular firewood varieties.
   The Asian long-horned beetle has attacked and killed thousands of maple, elm and other trees in New York and Chicago; and the emerald ash borer has killed millions of ash trees in Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and other states. These pests were traced to infested wood packaging in cargo from Asia.
   “It costs millions of dollars to try and eradicate these pests, not to mention the tremendous loss of so many trees,” said Charles H. Bronson, Florida agriculture and consumer services commissioner, in a statement. “The impact on the environment can be significant and we need to do everything possible to protect our trees.”
   Most recently, a fungus that causes the fatal laurel wilt disease threatens Florida’s forests.
   According to Florida regulators, invasive pests and diseases arrive in the state each year at a rate of at least one new significant pest a month. These pests arrive in cargo shipments, storm fronts, infected plant material, tourist luggage and firewood.
   Bronson’s Division of Plant Industry has posted on line a video (www.doacs.state.fl.us/pi/videos.html) about how to prevent the spread of destructive beetles in Florida through firewood.
   The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services also conducts surveys and trappings for the early detection of plant pests and diseases. For more information, access www.doacs.state.fl.us/pi.