LAKEPORT
City announces Community Cleanup Day
The City of Lakeport and Lakeport Disposal Company, Inc., announce a Community Cleanup Day for City of Lakeport residents on Saturday, Oct. 12, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event will be held in the public parking lot of the Fifth Street boat ramp in downtown Lakeport.
This event is limited to City of Lakeport residents and business owners; those dropping off trash and solid waste will be required to provide photo identification and copy of a current City of Lakeport utility bill.
Participants are asked to follow these guidelines:
- Stay in vehicle while Lakeport Disposal staff unloads materials
- 2 visits maximum per each City of Lakeport address
Acceptable materials: Household trash; televisions; appliances (stoves, washers, dryers, dishwashers and water heaters); electronic waste; mattresses; household furniture; unusable clothes, blankets, towels; and similar materials.
NOT acceptable: Refrigerators, hot tubs/spas, air conditioners, construction debris, used tires and household Hazardous Waste.
For more details, please see the City’s website, www.cityoflakeport.com, or contact Lakeport Disposal at 707-263-6080.
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LAKEPORT
Clear Lake Environmental Research Center intensifies monitoring of Invasive Mediterranean Oak Borer (MOB)
The Clear Lake Environmental Research Center (CLERC) is actively tracking the spread of the Mediterranean Oak Borer (MOB) (*Xyleborus monographus*), an invasive beetle threatening Valley Oaks (*Quercus lobata*) and Blue Oaks (*Quercus douglasii*) in Lake, Napa, and Sonoma Counties. Unlike native bark beetles that have decimated conifer populations in recent years, the MOB is native to Europe and was first detected in Napa in 2019. If left unchecked, the beetle could devastate local oak populations, resulting in severe environmental and economic consequences.
In Lake County, MOB infestations have been confirmed in Middletown, Lower Lake, Cobb Mountain, Lakeport, and Upper Lake. The beetle burrows into the bark of oak trees, introducing a pathogenic fungus that disrupts water flow, weakens the trees, and often leads to their death.
CLERC warns that the unchecked spread of MOB could dramatically alter California’s oak woodlands, ecosystems vital to wildlife habitats, biodiversity, and various ecosystem services.
Collaborative efforts to combat the MOB
CLERC is working closely with the Tree Mortality Task Force, a subcommittee of the Lake County Risk Reduction Authority (RRA), as well as local, state, and federal agencies. Together, they aim to determine the beetle’s distribution, assess its impact, and develop prevention strategies. CLERC’s response includes public education, outreach to local tree contractors, a reporting tool, mapping, research and grant applications to support management efforts.
Local tree contractors have been alerted to fill out the MOB survey available on the CLERC website, providing details on the locations of potential infestations and removed trees to help monitor neighboring areas. This data is crucial for tracking the beetle’s spread and preventing further damage. Contractors are also encouraged to report how they manage infested wood, as transporting it may facilitate the spread of the pest.
Call to action for local residents and professionals
CLERC is urging residents, tree contractors, arborists, and landowners to stay vigilant and report any suspected MOB infestations. Early detection is key to controlling the beetle’s spread and minimizing damage. If caught early, the spread can be stopped through sanitation pruning—removing infested limbs, which should then be chipped or burned immediately to kill the beetles and contain the fungus. Pruned material should be chipped into pieces no larger than one to three inches.
Sanitation and safety are equally important. Any tools or equipment that come into contact with infested trees should be disinfected using antifungal solutions, such as Lysol, to avoid unintentional spread.
Important tips for Oak Tree care
While Valley and Blue Oaks naturally drop their leaves and enter dormancy in the winter, it’s important to distinguish this from MOB damage. If you suspect an infestation, take photographs to help arborists identify which limbs to remove after the tree enters dormancy. Winter pruning is recommended, as the beetles are also dormant during this time, allowing the tree to heal properly.
However, if emergency pruning is necessary outside the dormancy period, be sure to seal any cuts to prevent beetles from entering. Natural sealants are preferred over petroleum-based options for the health of the tree.
How you can help
CLERC encourages the public to visit the Mediterranean Oak Borer Project page on their website to report suspected infestations and view the latest data via an interactive map: https://www.theclerc.org/mediterranean-oak-borer-monitoring-project
Follow these best practices to help prevent the spread of the MOB and other invasive species:
- Avoid transporting firewood from infested areas.
- Thoroughly clean and sanitize equipment and tools.
- Monitor oak trees for signs of crown thinning and dieback.
- If you suspect MOB, report it through CLERC’s website and hire an arborist for sanitation pruning.
CLERC’s Commitment
CLERC is dedicated to preserving local ecosystems and is working alongside regional, state, and national partners to address the Mediterranean Oak Borer threat. To learn more about MOB, ongoing monitoring efforts, or how to get involved, visit [our website](https://www.theclerc.org/mediterranean-oak-borer-monitoring-project).
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