Woodpeckers to the Rescue?

Emerald Ash Borer

Recent studies have determined that woodpeckers are finding and consuming large numbers of Emerald Ash Borers. In one study, woodpeckers consumed up to 85 percent of the Emerald Ash Borers in a tree. However, the downside is that woodpeckers are mostly finding Emerald Ash Borers when large populations have already severely damaged a tree. They arrive in time to eliminate many of the beetles that migrate to other trees, but arrive too late and do not consume a high enough percentage to save the infested tree. Woodpeckers may slow the spread of the ash borer, but they are unlikely to be the savior of ash trees. It is important to continue work exploring all other possible means of control.