Invasive pest detected in Ohio; What experts say to look out for

Starting today, several counties are under quarantine for an invasive insect that could cause all kind of problems.

As reported on News Center 7 at 6, box tree moths have been on the Ohio Department of Agriculture’s radar since last June.

>> PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Invasive pest detected in Ohio; Quarantine starts today for several counties

Now they are calling for a quarantine of the moths.

“The quarantine is to try and limit the spread of the insect on boxwood shrubs,” Dan Kenny, Chief of the Division of Plant Health at the Ohio Department of Agriculture said.

This will help protect the law services in the state as well as homeowners.

“Ohio’s nursery industry, which is, is really pretty darn large. I think we’re like the fourth in the nation in terms of nursery stock production,” Kerny said.

News Center 7 spoke to two landscaping companies in the area, they said that planting an average row of boxwood shrubs can cause a run owner around $1,500.

Don Cipollini is a biology professor, he said we are still learning just how harmful these moths may be.

>>PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Invasive pest detected in Ohio; several counties under quarantine

“There’s no evidence that this insect will eat anything else other than boxwood, so it’s what you call a ‘specialist insect,” Cipollini, professor of biology at Wright State University said.

Cipollini believes the quarantine could be a good first step to protect growers in our area.

“It will do a number on if you get a large infestation, they’ll chew them to the ground practically,” he said.

At this time, the Department of Agriculture said they cannot estimate how long the quarantine will last.

They are encouraging everyone who spots the insects to report them here.

News Center 7 will continue to follow this story.