The Emerald Ash Borer has yet to strike ash trees in Bolingbrook, but officials there say they know it is only a matter of time before the pests make their way to the village.

“They have appeared in Naperville, Chicago, Ottawa,” said Public Works Director Mike Drey.

Drey said the village has an inventory of more than 10,000 ash trees planted throughout the village on municipal property. That figure does not include those on private property.

The village stopped planting ash trees on parkways about five years ago, and continues to monitor ash trees for signs of infestation.

“No signs yet of the ash borer, but it seems like it is inevitable,” Drey said.

Residents who think they may have an ash tree infested with the beetle and/or larvae are asked to contact the Public Works Department at (630) 226-8800 and the village will send someone to inspect the tree.

According to the United States Forest Service, about 30 million ash trees in southeastern Michigan died over the last five years as a result of the beetle.

The beetles themselves don’t kill trees — although they do nibble on ash foliage — but the larvae feed on inner bark, disrupting the tree’s ability to water and nutrients.

Drey said about 800 ash trees were cut down and reduced to pulp in the Ottawa area recently.