Officials discuss ways to combat tree-killing pest

MONTPELIER, Vt. – Vermont officials are urging people not to transport any firewood that might be infested with an invasive pest that has killed hundreds of millions of ash trees in North America.

The emerald ash borer was discovered in Vermont for the first time last month in the town of Orange.

On Thursday, officials met with people in Barre to discuss ways to combat the problem. They say containing the insect might be impossible, but they can at least try to slow its spread.

The bug’s larvae kill ash trees by tunneling under the bark.

Since the pest was first discovered in North America in 2002, it has decimated ash populations in more than 30 states.