Bartlett latest to find emerald ash borer

The latest evidence that the emerald ash borer has bored its way into most corners of the suburbs has been found in Bartlett.

The village confirmed its first sighting of the green, tree-killing pest on Newcastle Lane, prompting additional checks of ash trees that turned up two more that were infested.

In recent weeks, the ash borer has been newly found in suburbs including Schaumburg, Palatine, Lake in the Hills and Aurora.

In their larval stage, the bugs eat the living tissue out of ash trees, slowly killing them. Though pesticides can provide some help, Bartlett officials said the only sure way to counter the pest is to remove infested trees, which is the village's plan.

Nearly 40 percent of all parkway trees in Bartlett are ash trees, and the village is seeking the public's help is looking out for the telltale sign of the ash borer's presence: D-shaped exit holes about one-eighth inch wide on tree trunks. If spotted, contact Village Arborist Keith Johnson at (630) 837-0811.