Massachusetts has eradicated the Asian Longhorned Beetle from Shrewsbury, removing the town from Worcester County's ALB quarantine zone and marking it as the second community cleared after Holden in 2025.

The statewide ALB effort began with an infestation in Worcester in 2008, driven by inspections, removal of infested trees and wood, and strict limits on wood movement to prevent spread.

With Shrewsbury cleared, Worcester County’s quarantine now covers Worcester, Boylston, West Boylston, and part of Auburn, following Holden’s clearance in 2025 and the lifting of Boston’s city quarantine in 2014.

Officials describe ALB as a highly destructive invasive pest that threatens trees and public safety, noting that eradication results from strong collaboration among state and federal partners and local residents.

Ongoing actions will focus on inspecting remaining quarantined communities, with residents encouraged to report suspected beetles or damage via the state page or hotline.

Early detection and rapid treatment are emphasized as crucial, and residents are urged to participate in inspections, use compliant tree services, and follow yard-waste and material disposal guidelines.

Quarantines restrict movement of regulated hardwood materials like firewood and logs to prevent spread, a policy echoed by New York State officials.

The beetle is believed to spread via wood packaging from Asia; its lifecycle involves eggs in bark, larvae feeding inside trees, and dime-sized exit holes.

Officials are optimistic about complete eradication by 2030, noting ALB spreads slowly and does not fly far compared to some pests.

The ALB is native to Asia and entered the U.S. via wood packing materials; its removal represents progress in statewide eradication efforts supported by state and federal partners.

State and federal agencies credit ongoing collaboration and resident cooperation for the success in eradicating ALB in Shrewsbury and advancing the statewide effort.

Eradication involved years of inspections, removal of infested wood, and restrictions on moving hardwood materials, conducted by state and federal agencies.