
With the winter holidays approaching, the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) is reminding consumers to check their holiday evergreen decorations for possible invasive plant pests before buying them.
While many species are not established in Wisconsin’s landscape, in prior years DATCP has detected invasive insects on products from other states.
Last year, for example, an invasive pest called elongate hemlock scale (EHS) was found on Fraser and balsam fir wreaths, trees, baskets, and boughs from eastern states. EHS is a threat to Wisconsin’s Christmas trees, native hemlock and balsam fir forests, and decorative evergreens.
Click here to learn more about EHS.