The Maine Forest Service warns that the hemlock wooly adelgid (HWA) high-risk season starts March 1. Live hemlock material has a high risk for spreading the invasive HWA bug whatever the season, but for other hemlock products, the risk of spreading HWA changes with the season. In March, when eggs are first deposited, the risk is relatively high.
Most forest land in Maine does not fall within the quarantine area for HWA. The adelgid is restricted to southern and coastal York County. The quarantined towns in Maine include Eliot, Kittery, Ogunquit, South Berwick, Wells and York. Much of the hemlock’s range south and west of Maine is also quarantined.
Landowners throughout the southern half of the state, where climate favors HWA survival, should be vigilant in monitoring for this pest. Those near and within infested towns should take steps to reduce risk of introducing HWA to their properties or spreading it to neighbors’ land.
Steps include removing bird feeders during the high-risk period, as birds are a primary mode for long distance spread of the insect; trimming hemlock foliage likely to come in contact with other potential vectors (vehicles, etc.); and timing harvests to occur during the low risk period to reduce risk of spread to and from your woodlot on harvesting equipment.
For more information, go to: http://www.maine.gov/doc/mfs/HemlockWoollyAdelgid.htm
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