COLLEGE STATION, Texas – The presence of the invasive emerald ash borer (EAB) has been confirmed in Jack, Navarro, Somervell, Bell and Rockwall counties. Bell County’s confirmation makes it the southernmost confirmed location of EAB in the nation.
First confirmed in Texas in 2016, EAB has spread to 31 counties statewide. In 2024, EAB was confirmed in five new Texas counties.
“EAB is one of the worst invasive insects to impact North American forests,” said Allen Smith, Texas A&M Forest Service Regional Forest Health Coordinator. “EAB does not typically fly far distances naturally. Their expansion across the state and U.S. has been expedited due to human activity, like moving infected firewood and ash tree products across state and county lines.”…