ALBANY, NY – The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation is encouraging New York pool owners to participate in DEC’s annual Asian Longhorned Beetle Swimming Pool Survey.

This is the time of year when Asian longhorned beetles (ALB) emerge as adults and are most active outside of their host tree. The goal of the survey is to look for and find these exotic, invasive beetles before these pests cause serious damage to our forests and street trees. They have caused the death of hundreds of thousands of trees across the country. DEC is requesting that people with swimming pools periodically check their pool filters for any insects that resemble ALB.

If you suspect an ALB, take a photo and:

• Send an email ([email protected]) with the subject heading “ALB Pool Survey”.
• Text an image to (518) 491-7391, and type “ALB Pool Survey” in the body of the text, or
  mail a printed image to the Forest Health Diagnostic Lab at 108 Game Farm Road, Delmar, NY 12054.
• Save the insect. Freeze the insect in a plastic bag or Tupperware container until you hear back from us.

No Pool? No Problem! You can still help! Look for the telltale signs of ALB damage on your trees, such as exit holes, accumulation of coarse sawdust, pits in the bark, and oozing sap.