Pool owners are invited to join in the state Department of Environmental Conservation’s fourth annual Asian longhorned beetle swimming pool survey through Aug. 30 to help keep watch for exotic, invasive beetles before they cause serious damage to forests and street trees.

The citizen pool survey takes place this time of year when Asian longhorned beetles are expected to become adults, emerge from the trees they are infesting and become active outside those trees.

Asian longhorned beetles are originally from Asia and have caused the death of hundreds of thousands of trees across the nation, particularly in maple trees in New York City, on Long Island, in New Jersey, Chicago, Ill., Worcester, Mass., and Clermont, Ohio. The DEC’s Forest Health Program developed a simple and easy survey to track Asian longhorned beetles for homeowners who have swimming pools and are willing to keep an eye out for these insects.

Pool monitoring offers a simple, economical alternative to traditional procedures for surveying Asian longhorned beetles in the state. It also has the potential to become New York’s most effective method for detecting Asian longhorned beetles. In addition, the monitoring program gives residents the ability to take an active role in protecting trees in their yards, communities and forests.

With citizens involved in looking for this pest, there is a better chance of finding new infestations early, helping DEC and other state and federal agencies focus their efforts to eliminate infestations.

In addition to owning a swimming pool, participants will need:

a digital camera;

an e-mail address; and

the ability to send a photo via email or text message.

Those who don’t have a pool can still help. DEC officials have expanded its photo collection to include anyone who spots a suspect beetle, whether it is found in their pool or not. Residents are also encouraged to submit photos if there is suspicion of an emerald ash borer or another invasive pest damaging trees. Photos can be submitted to the forest health program email address listed below.

Directions for participating in the pool survey are outlined below:

Step 1: Starting in the last week of July, through the last week of August (when adults are active), at least once a week, or when one clean one’s pool, check the debris collected in their filter and skimmers.

Step 2: Look for the Asian longhorned beetles. Contact the Forest Health Program and the agency will provide a sheet to help identify insects collected.

Step 3: Take a picture of any insect one thinks might be an Asian longhorned beetles.

Step 4: Send the photos of the insects that look like Asian longhorned beetles to foresthealth@dec.ny.gov.

Step 6: Freeze the insect in a plastic container until DEC staff respond, typically in about a week. Staff will either instruct the person to discard the insect or give instructions on mailing it, delivering it, or arranging for pick-up.

For more information on Asian longhorned beetles and the pool survey, visit DEC’s website at www.dec.ny.gov/animals/7255.html. To sign up for the survey, contact: NYSDEC Forest Health Program, attention Jessica Cancelliere, by emailing foresthealth@dec.ny.gov or calling 518-478-7813.