A large ash tree in Bristol was the most recent victim of a creepy crawly killer that has resulted in tree deaths across the region.

On Monday, Eric Whipple of WhippleTree responded to a home on Woodlawn Avenue to remove a tree that had become infested by the larvae of the Emerald Ash Borer, an invasive species of Asian beetle that bores into the wood and causes structural damage, leading to their necessary removal.

“It’s the first confirmed infestation that I have physically come across,” Whipple said. “I think the reason for concern is the pest moves quickly and the symptoms and signs of decline show up quickly…I look at it like a public service announcement. It’s here. Have your trees inspected before they become a problem.”

Whipple said that once the larvae have made their home inside of a tree, the irreversible damage can happen quickly. Once signs begin to show, such as weakened growth or “dieback”, it might already be too late.

Whipple said on Wednesday that the beetles are attracted to the pheromones released by ash trees that have been damaged or cut, so those with ash trees should limit their pruning to times when the beetles are not active, like the middle of winter.

Damage to ash trees caused by the invasive Emerald Ash Borer larvae has been documented in Bristol multiple times in recent years. The Town recently announced a partnership with RIDOT to take down as many as 66 trees that have been identified as a potential safety hazard, many of which likely became that way due to an infestation of the larvae.