The Goldspotted Oak Borer (GSOB) is tiny beetle that’s infesting and killing oak trees in San Diego County. This beetle came from Arizona, where the environments have predators that naturally keep the beetle populations under control. Here in California, the only method of controlling the spread of GSOB is containment.

Cut wood that’s infested is still a threat, so don't move firewood, and follow some basic containment techniques to keep any mature beetles from escaping and reproducing.

Resources

University of California - Learn more about containment strategies, report GSOB sighting, download GSOB Field Identification Guide

University of California Agriculture & Natural Resources - Integrated Pest Management Program

San Diego Union Tribune - Beetles take a bite out of backcountry (Feb. 17, 2013), Oak deaths top 80,000 in San Diego County (Sept. 2, 2011)

California Firewood Task Force - Learn about the "Buy it Where You Burn It" campaign

Firewood Scout - Need to buy firewood? Find a vendor that knows where their supply comes from and has taken necessary precautions by seasoning the wood for two years or heat treating it.

California resources & info on Don't Move Firewood dot org