TRENTON — A menace the size of a grain of rice is threatening more and more trees in the New Jersey Pinelands.
Environmental regulators are stepping up efforts to protect 1 million acres of evergreens from southern pine beetle infestations. They were rare in New Jersey until 10 years ago.
Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Bob Martin says the pests are on pace to equal or surpass the 14,000 acres of trees killed last year. Their primary strategy is to cut down affected trees before beetles spread, because pesticides aren't effective at large-scale control.
Martin says early detection is important — weekly aerial surveys are being conducted to identify new infestations.
DEP is also working with university researchers on long-term suppression efforts and partnering with the Pinelands Commission and private landowners.