Mississauga.ca - Residents - Pest Management

The Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is a highly destructive invasive insect that attacks and kills all species of ash trees native to North America. EAB has been declared an invasive alien species by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and is therefore subject to quarantine.

Introduced from Asia in the early 1990s, but not discovered in the Detroit and Windsor areas until 2002, it is believed that the insect was brought to North America unintentionally via wooden packing crates. In 2008 the CFIA confirmed the presence of EAB in Mississauga. EAB has been confirmed across southwestern Ontario and has been identified as far east as Montreal. A large section of southwestern Ontario is now under quarantine with the movement of ash wood products outside of the quarantine area prohibited.

The environmental impact of EAB will be significant given ash is a large component of our urban forest.

EAB in Mississauga - A Timeline

2002	Staff trained in EAB survey and detection techniques
2002 - 2008	City staff monitor for presence of EAB in Mississauga
2008	EAB discovered and active detection and surveying on City property increases
2010	Forestry begins branch sampling (a technique where the outer layer of bark is removed to determine if insect galleries are present)
2011	Traps are installed throughout the city to identify monitor for EAB
2012	- Installation of traps and branch sampling continues city-wide - EAB program approved by Council. Learn more about the Active Management Plan here - 750 ash trees in Wards 3, 8 and 9 treated
2013	January - City begins 10-year program to treat approximately 20,000 City-owned ash trees. - Ash trees selected for treatment marked with a green dot at breast height. Click here for example April - Four public meetings held for residents to learn more about EAB and treating trees on private property.

EAB Related Links

Privately-owned trees

Privately-owned trees are the responsibility of the owner. The Forestry Section encourages property owners to continually inspect their ash trees and contact a certified arborist for more information. Residents removing ash trees from private property must comply with the Private Tree Protection By-law. Ash trees are categorized as "dead, dying or hazardous". The removal of three or more dead, dying or hazardous trees over 15 cm (6 in) in diameter must be approved through the permit process and the condition of the trees verified by a certified arborist or by Forestry staff. Associated permit fees are waived and replacement trees are not required.

Identifying an infected ash tree

Bark damage - vertical cracks appear in the bark
Shoots growing from the trunk and branches of the tree
Crown dieback - loss of leaves in the tree canopy
Discoloration or yellowing of the leaves
D-shaped exit holes
Increased presence of woodpeckers feeding

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Do not move firewood or other wood products out of the regulated area. Learn more about the regulated areas by visiting the Canadian Food Inspection Agency website.
There is no need to immediately cut down ash trees. Infected trees will eventually die, but you do not need to remove or cut them down until they pose a hazard. If you suspect a tree on your property is infested, or are interested in treating a tree on your property, please call a certified arborist for more information.

If you suspect EAB on a tree located on City property, please contact Forestry at 3-1-1 or 905-615-4311 if outside city limits.

Related Links:

How to identify ash trees

Region of Peel

Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)

Natural Resources Canada-Canadian Forest Service (CFS)

EAB University

BioForest Technologies Inc.