For the first time, the emerald ash borer shows up in Wisconsin.

The bug doesn't look very scary and he doesn't move very fast.

"If left to its own devices, it'll only travel about a half mile a year," says Ed Culhane with the DNR.

But, what the emerald ash borer can do with a little human help is devastating.

Culhane says since it was detected in Detroit, Michigan in 2002, it has killed more than 25 million trees.

And with more than 737 million ash trees across the state of Wisconsin, the little bug is not a little problem. That's why the DNR and agencies across the state are teaming up with the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection to try and stop the spread. The attack now is in Ozaukee County where the first bug was found, just north of Milwaukee.

"This is a well thought out plan of attack. It’s the same as battling a forest fire or a flood," Culhane says.

He says ash trees from nurseries and ash hardwood products like firewood will likely be quarantined in Ozaukee County and nearby Washington County.

The City of Eau Claire is already prepping for the bug. They purposely made a bunch of ash trees sick to attract ash borers to them if they’re in the area. This fall, they'll peel the bark off to check if any ash borers have made it to the city.

"Most signs are in the canopy; you’ll see a decreasing canopy,” says City Forester Todd Chwala. “You'll also see sprouts coming out of the bottom."

Chwala says 30 percent of the trees in Eau Claire are an ash variety. But, he says there are things we can all do to keep stop the spread across the state.

Chwala says the bug is a good hitch-hiker. It will use firewood or nursery trees. He says you shouldn’t transfer firewood out of the county. If you’re camping, you should purchase firewood once you get there.

The Ag Department says another big part of controlling the ash borer is finding them as soon as possible. You can help by watching your ash trees. Then, if you think they might be infested, call 1-800-462-2803.