DEC Beetle Study Participants Wanted

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has invited pool owners to join in the second annual “Asian longhorned beetle (ALB) Swimming Pool Survey,” through Friday, August 30.

The survey was created in order to keep watch for the exotic, invasive beetles before they cause serious damage to forests and street trees. The pool survey is held at this time of year in order to monitor the beetles as they mature into adulthood and emerge from the trees they are infesting. Asian longhorned beetles, originally from Asia, have caused the death of hundreds of thousands of trees across the nation, particularly here on the East End and in New York City.

The monitoring program is open to all swimming pool owners who have a digital camera, an email address, and the ability to upload photos. Those who don’t have pools can also participate by sending in photos of neighboring pools if there is a suspicion of an emerald ash borer or another invasive pest damaging native ash trees.

Those who participate are recommended to clean their pools once a week, check for Asian longhorned beetles, take photos and send them in to the DEC at foresthealth@gw.dec.state.ny.us. They should also freeze the insect in a plastic container until DEC staff can respond. To sign up for the survey, contact the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation at foresthealth@gw.dec.state.ny.us or by calling (518) 810-1609. For more information about the Asian longhorned beetle, visit dec.ny.gov/animals/7255.html.