Is the emerald ash borer still in Ohio and Kentucky?

Many people search for “is the emerald ash borer still in Ohio” after they see a dead ash tree or a stump with shoots. The short answer is yes. This guide shows what three official sources say as of October 2026: Ohio State University (OSU) Extension, USDA APHIS and the Kentucky Division of Forestry.

Is the emerald ash borer still in Ohio?

Yes. OSU Extension published “Emerald Ash Borer Still Infesting Trees” on July 1, 2026. The author says that although the initial infestation wave has long passed, the beetle is still present in forests and landscapes. It infests new ash seedlings and resprouting ash. OSU also says that lingering ash trees are at risk, and that trees once protected by insecticides could be at risk if treatment stops.

An earlier OSU article, “Is Emerald Ash Borer on the Rebound in Ohio?” (June 14, 2023), sets out why. After most large ash died, beetle numbers crashed, but they never went to zero. By 2023, OSU saw multi-stemmed ash in southwest Ohio losing stems to the beetle, with dieback speeding up. Its stated lesson: “The first lesson learned is that like Chestnut blight, EAB will be with us for years to come.”

If you want to know what those multi-stemmed trees are, read dead ash tree stumps. The glossary entry for bush ash gives a short definition.

When did EAB arrive in Ohio and Kentucky?

The timeline below uses only dates the three sources give.

OSU says Ohio was “very close to the epicenter” of the infestation. For more local detail, see the post on the southwest Ohio timeline. The emerald ash borer glossary entry has a short definition.

Where is EAB now?

The beetle is in a large part of the country. USDA APHIS says it has detected EAB infestations in 38 States and the District of Columbia. The agency’s page was last modified on April 23, 2026. APHIS also keeps an interactive map of known infested counties on its site.

For Kentucky, the 2022 Forest Health Highlights report from the Kentucky Division of Forestry says EAB has been confirmed in 103 Kentucky counties. It says the beetle will eventually impact ash across the entire state as the infestation spreads into western Kentucky. This report covers 2022. Newer counts may exist, so check with the Division of Forestry.

OSU Extension notes that the beetle also needs a food source. EAB can develop in white fringetree and cultivated olives, but ash is the main host. OSU names green and black ash as the most susceptible and says white ash still sees 80 to 90 percent mortality.

Is there still a quarantine?

Not a federal one. USDA APHIS removed its domestic EAB quarantine regulations in 2020. The final rule was effective January 14, 2021. The Kentucky Division of Forestry says its county quarantine system ended in April 2014, when the whole state went on the APHIS list of regulated areas.

APHIS still asks people not to help the beetle travel. It says people contribute to long-distance spread when they move EAB-infested ash firewood, logs or nursery stock. It advises buying only local firewood or certified heat-treated firewood.

This guide does not cover local rules on moving wood from a tree job. Ask the person who removes the tree how the wood will be handled.

What should I do if I have an ash tree?

First, look at the tree. USDA APHIS lists dead branches in the crown, excessive branching on the trunk, vertical bark cracks and more woodpecker activity as possible signs. OSU adds D-shaped exit holes. These signs can have other causes. Do not assume the cause. You can also ask a local extension office.

1. Check the signs. Compare the tree with the list in the ash tree and emerald ash borer pillar.
2. Report it if you suspect EAB. APHIS has a report form and a phone line, 1-866-322-4512.
3. Ask about treatment early. OSU says treatment works only if the tree is not too far gone. Once a tree is about 30 percent defoliated, effectiveness goes down. Larger trees need injection by a professional. APHIS points to your local Cooperative Extension agent. Follow all label instructions, because OSU says the label is the law.
4. Plan for removal if needed. Removal and stump work are separate steps. Read tree removal versus stump grinding prices before you compare quotes.
5. Ask about the stump. A dead ash can send up shoots. See will a stump grow back.

This site does not diagnose trees. An ISA Certified Arborist can inspect your ash and tell you what they see.

What about ash on the tree lawn?

If the ash stands between the sidewalk and the street, check with your city first. In Cincinnati, Parks Urban Forestry oversees tree maintenance in public rights-of-way. See who owns the stump on the tree lawn and the glossary entry for tree lawn.

Next step

When a dead ash stump is left in your yard in Dayton, Cincinnati or Northern Kentucky, the stump grinding service page explains the work. Call (513) 587-6772 or send photos for a free estimate.