What Are Those Purple Boxes Hanging From Trees in CNY

What are those purple boxes seen hanging from trees in and around Rome? They are Purple Prism traps for the Ash Beetle.

The Emerald Ash Borer is difficult to detect in newly infested trees because there are few signs. The Purple Prism Traps are to detect and monitor areas where the beetles may be present. They are not used to control the Borer population.

The Emerald Ash Borers are attracted to the purple color of the traps, that are covered in a sticky substance you don't want to touch. The traps also have a lure made of oils similar to those present in ash trees.

You can not buy a Purple Prism trap. They are part of the United States Department of Agriculture surveying program. But you don't need to have one to have a trap tree. All you need to do is girdle a tree, by wrapping plastic food wrap above the girdling wound. Paint the plastic wrap with sticky bug trapping goop that you can get at your local garden store.

At the end of the year peel the bark off layer by layer using a draw knife. Inspect each layer for any signs of the Borer.

Many trees lose half of the canopy after only a few years of infestation. Trees may die after only 2 to 3 years.

Get more information at the New York State Invasive Species website.

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