Pool Owners Can Help NY Track Invasive Asian Long-Horned Beetles

ALBANY, N.Y. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- If you have a pool, you can help New York state officials keep track of an invasive beetle.

The state Department of Environmental Conservation is running its annual Asian long-horned beetle swimming pool survey this month. This is the time of year when the insects become active outside of the trees they are infesting.

Volunteers are asked to check pool filters and skimmers and send in pictures of suspected Asian long-horned beetles.

"There's absolutely no scientific background need," the DEC's Jessica Cancelliere told WCBS 880's Sophia Hall.

The invasive beetles have killed hundreds of thousands of trees across the nation, including maple trees in New York City and on Long Island.

"They have the capacity to destroy millions of tress in New York state," Cancelliere said.

Information about the survey is available on the DEC's web site.

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