About Us

                                  Water Quality

Hydroseeding

Hamilton County GIS Resource Center 

Hamilton County Online Mapping System (HOMS) 

Erosion Control

Invasive Insect Trapping Program

This summer, the HCSWCD is working with the New York State Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey (CAPS) to place and monitor invasive insect traps throughout Hamilton County. We are trapping for the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) and the Brown Spruce Longhorned Beetle (BSLB), and we need your help!

The Problem
Invasive insects from Long Island to Michigan have already killed millions of trees, costing federal, state, and local governments $100 million for tree removal and replacement and insect management. Entire tree species in NYS may be lost to infestation, adversely impacting the ecosystem. The economic loss to lumber, flooring, cabinet, maple syrup and baseball bat industries would be astronomical.  Learn more about the EAB and BSLB here. 

Don’t Move Firewood
These invasive beetles are transported to new locations via firewood. As of March 18, 2009, the firewood regulation was made permanent in the State Registrar to prevent the movement of invasive species into NYS forests via untreated firewood. The possession, sale, and movement of untreated firewood originating in NYS has been restricted by the DEC. Campers are encouraged to purchase wood from local sellers less than 50 miles away from their destination, or buy wood at campgrounds. More info: http://www.dec.ny.gov/regulations/2359.html

Invasive Insect Trapping Program
Do YOU want to help stop the invaders? Become involved in the HCSWCD’s Invasive Insect Trapping Program. Receive free training and traps for the EAB and BSLB.

EAB Survey
Survey Time: May-August
Host: All Ash species
Trap Type: Purple PRISM panel trap
Procedure: Place lure in trap, hang in ash grove 6ft above ground, service every 2 weeks by using forceps to collect metallic green beetles, mail beetles to Albany for identification.
EAB was recently confirmed in Randolph, Cattaraugus County.  Click here for press release. 

BSLB Survey
Survey Time: July— September
Host: Norway spruce
Trap Type: Intercept panel trap
Procedure: Place lure in trap, hang 1-2ft above ground, service every 2 weeks by using forceps to collect beetles, mail beetles to Albany for identification.
For more information or to become a volunteer, contact Caitlin at 518-548-3991. Special thanks to DEC campgrounds, CCE, and our volunteers for protecting our forests.

EAB Infest Ash trees; adults dark metallic green; larvae creamy white, located under bark; infestation signs include canopy dieback, leaves turn yellow or brown, trunk sprouting	Fact Sheet Pest Alert Alert Poster Life Cycle Bio Control
BSLB Infests healthy Spruce trees; adults with brown abdomen and black head with reddish brown antennae, infestation signs include round exit holed in bark, frass at base of tree, loss of needles, resin oozing from tree	Fact Sheet Info Guide Most Unwanted Poster Advisory

Organizations Involved:
New York Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey - Ken Carnes
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service - Thomas W. Colarusso
New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets
United States Department of Agriculture
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Hamilton County - Nancy Welch
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Herkimer County - Bernie Armata