The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has confirmed the presence of Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (HWA) in Kings County, Nova Scotia. This detection is outside of currently regulated areas for Hemlock Woolly Adelgid in the province, which includes the counties of Digby, Queens, Shelburne, Yarmouth and Annapolis.
CFIA and its partners are conducting additional surveys to determine whether the pest has become established in the area, and if so, the extent of the spread.
The movement of all hemlock material out of the current regulated areas--such as nursery stock, roots, bulbs, seeds and other plant parts along with logs, branches, and woodchips, and all species of firewood from the affected site--is restricted.
Although the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid poses no threat to human health, it is highly destructive to hemlock trees.
CFIA continues to work with federal, provincial, municipal and First Nations partners and stakeholders to slow the spread of this pest.
Quick facts
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Moving untreated firewood is a common way for invasive insects and diseases to spread.
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Once established, HWA will spread naturally via wind, birds, animals, and human movement of nursery stock, logs, and other wood products, including firewood. To help prevent the spread of this pest the public is encouraged not to move potentially infested firewood and other hemlock products.
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CFIA regulates this pest to protect Canada's forests, municipal trees and nurseries.
