Emerald Ash Borer Problem Expands in Missouri

PLATTE COUNTY, Mo. -- Little bug, big problems.

State and federal officials say an Emerald Ash Borer has been found in Platte County in the Kansas City area. The insect population is growing in southern Missouri.

The Borer is deadly to ash trees. There's already a quarantine in place in Wayne County that bans the transportation of firewood and any ash tree wood from the area. That's to reduce the chance of the bug being moved to other areas. That area may be expanded because the insect has been found in nearby Reynolds County.

While the Borer is able to fly short distances, it's typically moved by unknowing people who are transporting wood or brush that has ash tree bark and limbs.

Conservation and Agriculture officials are asking Missourians to not move firewood out of the area it's harvested and to avoid using Ash trees in landscaping. More information about the Emerald Ash Borer can be found at http://EAB.Missouri.edu.