DNR Will Use Wasps to Combat Emerald Ash Borer

The Village of Bayside, in conjunction with neighboring North Shore communities and the Schlitz Audbon Nature Center has a comprehensive emerald ash borer management plan.

As you may know, Milwaukee County is under quarantine due to the continued presence of the emerald ash borer (EAB) invasive species. While the disease has not been confirmed in Bayside, it has been detected in Brown Deer, Cudahy, Franklin, Greendale, Greenfield, Milwaukee, and Oak Creek.

To combat EAB, the state DNR plans to experiment with using another invasive species. Wisconsin will soon be the 10th state to release into the wild different species' of sting-less wasps, that are natural predators of EAB in their native China.  The DNR will first attempt this method in Saukville, due to its high number of confirmed EAB cases. 

While chemical treatment can be effective, the wasps are intended to combat EAB where it may not have been detected by humans.