Pool owners can participate in the third annual Asian longhorned beetle (ALB) Swimming Pool Survey now through Aug. 29 to help detect these exotic, invasive beetles before they cause serious damage to our forests and street trees.
The survey is held by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) at this time of year when ALBs are expected to become adults, emerge from the trees they are infesting and become active outside those trees.
ALBs are originally from Asia and have caused the death of hundreds of thousands of trees across the nation, particularly in maple trees in New York City; Long Island; New Jersey; Chicago; Worcester, Mass., and Clermont, Ohio.
Pool monitoring offers a simple, economical alternative to traditional procedures for detecting ALBs in New York State and may become New York’s most effective method. With citizens involved in looking for this pest, there is a better chance of finding new infestations early, which will help DEC and other state and federal agencies focus their efforts to eliminate infestations.
If you don’t have a pool, you can still help. DEC expanded its survey to include photo submissions from anyone who spots a suspect beetle, even if the beetle isn’t found in a pool.
If you spot an Emerald Ash Borer or another invasive pest damaging native ash trees, you are also encouraged to submit photos. See what the emerald ash borer looks like here.
Photos can be submitted to the Forest Health Program by contacting Jessica Cancelliere at jessica.cancelliere@dec.ny.gov or (518) 478-7813.
How to participate in the swimming pool survey:
Step 1: From now through Aug. 29 (when the adult ALB’s are active), at least once a week, or when you clean your pool, check the debris collected in your filter and skimmers.
Step 2: Look for the ALB. See what it looks like on DEC’s ALB web page. To get a sheet to help identify insects collected, contact Jessica Cancelliere at the Forest Health Program at jessica.cancelliere@dec.ny.gov or (518) 478-7813.
Step 3: Take a picture of any insect you think might be an ALB.
Step 4: Once a week send a photo of the insect that looks most like an ALB. (DEC would like to hear from you once a week.) Send the photo to jessica.cancelliere@dec.ny.gov.
Step 6: Freeze the insect in a plastic container until DEC staff respond (typically that will be about a week). Staff will either instruct you to discard the insect or give instructions on mailing it, delivering it or arranging for pick-up.
To sign up for the survey, please contact Jessica Cancelliere at the Forest Health Program at jessica.cancelliere@dec.ny.gov or (518) 478-7813.
Attended a seminar on EAB ID and now have the info in order to locate them. Much harder to find than most think.
Hi Jessica.
A few weeks ago I spotted an asian longhorned beetle floating in my pool. I am in Port Jefferson Station in NY. I have not seen one since. I don’t have a photo to show you, but I am positive it was the longhorn. I will keep looking to see if anymore are around my area.
John Kersten