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Purple Boxes in Trees Save Email Print
Posted: 12:00 AM Jul 11, 2008
 Last Updated: 12:00 AM Jul 11, 2008
 Reporter: WSAZ News Staff
Email Address: news@wsaz.com
31 comments
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LAWRENCE COUNTY, Ohio (WSAZ) -- If you've driven through southern Ohio lately and wondered about those purple boxes hanging in the trees,well, mystery solved!

They're insect traps, specifically for a pest called the emerald ash borer. The Ohio Department of Agriculture has 75 hundred of the purple traps scattered all across the state. Once the insects infest an ash tree, it dies within five years. That represents a significant threat to Ohio's 5 billion ash trees.

The bugs come from Asia and were first discovered in Michigan in 2002. Since then they've continued to spread south. The state placed the traps where the bug has not yet been sighted. Emerald ash borers are attracted to the color purple.

Experts say the bug is often spread through firewood and say it's best if campers buy their wood locally and not haul it from place to place.
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Posted by: Little Squaw on Jul 28, 2008 at 09:21 AM
These boxes are not only in OH but NY and PA too. My curiousity had gotten the best of me and I had to find out what these purple boxes are all about. I am so glad that the Dept of Agriculture has taken a step to protect our trees. Thanks for the 411!
Posted by: Margi on Jul 23, 2008 at 08:40 AM
To Angy Asian: I think that Pablo was mis-informed. I don't think the elm disease was Asian--we used to call it "Dutch Elm Disease". I am sorry if it sounds like he is attacking Asians--that would be unworthy. At the same time, the USA has lost many magmnificent trees to insect pests and diseases of one kind or another. If we can't stop these invasions--from where ever they originated--we will lose much that has helped make America rich and beautiful. We have lost most of our elms--we have lost most of our chestnuts. Now we are losing our ash trees. This is very sad, whatever the cause.
Posted by: angry asian on Jul 16, 2008 at 01:12 PM
First they put our people in concentration camps after Pearl Harbor now they trap our insects thats why gas is S4.00 per gallon
Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 14, 2008 at 04:28 AM
pablo--you have the right idea. People used to help others out--didn't they? I thought the purple bags were for mosquitos. I do buy wood locally when camping because of the Ash Borror. Hey great decoy--they are watching you! HaHa
Posted by: campground lover on Jul 13, 2008 at 10:11 PM
They are at the campground in Morehead also I thought that were for those 17 year bugs cause that is what was all over them.
Posted by: Pablo on Jul 12, 2008 at 06:53 PM
Laura, I guess you're really correct. I suppose I'm showing my age. I can remember a time when citizens did things just because it was the right thing to do, when helping others was something to do for free. Nowadays, hardly anyone will do anything without being paid. I think many of us would do good to remember we are Christians, Americans, and West Virginians, and start acting like it. I remember my dad telling me when he was a child they took rocks from the farm and placed in the holes on the county's dirt road going by their home. They didnt' get paid, it was simply the right thing to do. Also when we helped our neighbors do things around the house/farm if they needed it, all without pay. And we were all better for it; those that needed the help as well as those that gave it. Folks, we need to bring back citizenship to West Virginia.
Posted by: Pablo on Jul 12, 2008 at 06:43 PM
The traps main purpose is not to kill any insects. Its to see if any of these dangerous, non-native insects are in the area. In the process of gathering this information, the trapped insects are killed. The Emerald Ash Borror in a short 6 years in the U. S. has killed millions of ash trees. Sad to say, we may very well see all ash trees dead in 20 years (in all of the U.S.). Also, the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid is doing in all our Eastern Hemlocks (Carolina Hemlocks too). Again, in a few short years we may see our Hemlocks all gone. Two of the last few "large" American Elms in Mason County are gone. One has been dead for a couple of years. The other is dying this year. All because of a diease from Asia. American Chestnut stump sprouts are all that is left of those mighty trees, again due to an Asian diease. Gypsy Moths are hurting our Oaks. Folks, read up on these non-native insects and dieases. Contact the W. Va. DNR and the West Virginia Native Plant Society for more information.
Posted by: Skippy Jones on Jul 12, 2008 at 02:56 PM
They are traps to catch meddlers. They seem to be working!
Posted by: Double A driver on Jul 12, 2008 at 12:46 PM
They are along the highway of Lewis Co, KY also. I just thought it was because of the cicada's. That's when I first started seeing the big purple boxes. These are along fence lines but surrounded by trees. I figured the Frankfort bunch was doing something or the UK ag. students.
Posted by: Karen on Jul 12, 2008 at 08:38 AM
I had seen several of these alone Route 50 between Clarksburg and Parkersburg as well.
Posted by: shawn hudson on Jul 12, 2008 at 07:43 AM
Good job home land security. You can't even keep out a bug
Posted by: Tom on Jul 12, 2008 at 12:46 AM
Maybe they should go up to south charleston.
Posted by: Dave on Jul 11, 2008 at 09:01 PM
These are realy donation bags that Fred Davis has put out to help him pay off the 4.3 million he owes bb&t please ignore them !!
Posted by: Laura on Jul 11, 2008 at 06:42 PM
Pablo, it's really a nice thought to do the DNR's work for them, most of those are hung where avg people aren't going to get to it safely lol, and lord knows we don't need anyone falling out of trees! As for the young men in our neighborhood; well let's just say they'd be very amused at the request and most likely wave and go their merry way.
Posted by: mom of 2 on Jul 11, 2008 at 06:07 PM
I was in South Point Ohio on Tuesday, and saw a few of the boxes, I was wondering what they were, now I know!
Posted by: Andrea on Jul 11, 2008 at 05:49 PM
I see green ones sometimes on the trees at Kanawha Two Mile, near Sissonville.
Posted by: HPD Fan Club on Jul 11, 2008 at 02:55 PM
I think the HPD has something to do with it. Everytime something happens in he area everyone wants to blame them.
Posted by: Pablo on Jul 11, 2008 at 12:57 PM
If a trap falls from a tree, and you know where it was placed before, simply put it back up (only if you can do so safely). No need to run state officials over the state to put the trap back. If you are unable to replace the trap to its origional location, see if any young men in the neighborhood can do it for you.
Posted by: c on Jul 11, 2008 at 10:59 AM
The small triangle traps are for the Gypsy Moth, another non native pest. If you find a trap that has fallen you can contact the USDA.
Posted by: bob on Jul 11, 2008 at 10:45 AM
Could be Barney traps?
Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 11, 2008 at 10:40 AM
I have one in my back yard tha blew out of a tree in the last storm. Im not sure what to do with it?
Posted by: Wow on Jul 11, 2008 at 10:39 AM
I was just thru Ohio the othe rday and saw some and i was wondering what it was but now i know
Posted by: hollie on Jul 11, 2008 at 10:04 AM
they are in mason county west virginia too.
Posted by: heather on Jul 11, 2008 at 09:41 AM
The traps are probably killing more indigenous insects than Asian ones. I see nothing in this story about the kind of results they've had from putting these up.
Posted by: Great Decoy on Jul 11, 2008 at 09:28 AM
Funny that they are located in the areas where pot was discovered growing last year in meigs county so watch out dope growers there could be cameras installed and your already busted and just dont know it yet cheaper than flying since fuel is so high
Posted by: odnr employee on Jul 11, 2008 at 09:23 AM
The small traps are for the gypsy moth. Please call 1-877-247-8733 for information about forest related issues.
Posted by: lori on Jul 11, 2008 at 09:05 AM
My sister and I both had been wondering the same question on those boxes. we thought it had to do with bugs just what kind. i'll have to tell her we can now stop wondering,
Posted by: John on Jul 11, 2008 at 07:58 AM
5 billion ash trees seems like too large a number... shouldnt it be 5 million?
Posted by: Bob on Jul 11, 2008 at 07:06 AM
I saw one in a tree at a park on the New River.
Posted by: Richard on Jul 11, 2008 at 05:33 AM
They are Elephant traps
Posted by: Laura on Jul 11, 2008 at 02:17 AM
Those things are all over KY too. I'd wondered what on earth they were catching. Now what about the little triangle shaped ones? What are they catching?
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