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Chasing fireflies at night, skipping stones in a lake, exploring a prairie, stalking insects in the grass…summertime just naturally makes everyone feel like a kid. And, there is no better way to enjoy your family and friends than to spend time together with Mother Nature in local parks and nature areas.
When it comes to the outdoors, the Glenview Park District plays a dual role of providing a fun safe haven for humans to enjoy nature at her best as well as a protected and natural habitat for the many species of birds, animals and insects who have made these same areas their home. It is a great balancing act. However, sometimes animals and insects do the darnedest things and occasionally they can be down right pests. Check out the Glenview Park District Critter Guide to learn more about…
- Emerald Ash Borer
- Gypsy Moths
- Geese
- Red Winged Blackbirds
 The Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) was first detected in North America in the Detroit, Michigan area in June 2002 and later that year in Ontario, Canada. Since then EAB has been found in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Maryland, Virginia and now Illinois (click here to view a map of infested areas). Locally the EAB has been found on the North Shore in Wilmette and Evanston.
Glenview is inside the quarantine area for movement of brush, branches and tree materials. The natural spread of the EAB is about half of a mile or less annually; however, humans can greatly accelerate its spread. Firewood and log movement have been the primary means by which EAB is spread, so it is important when using firewood to purchase it from local vendors, and not transport it between areas.
EAB is native to Asia and is suspected to have arrived in this country in cargo utilizing wood packing material. In its native range, EAB attacks and kills trees that are weakened by stresses such as drought, disease, and mechanical injury. Unfortunately, in North America, EAB also attacks and kills healthy trees. This invasive pest is so aggressive that virtually all native ash trees are at risk, and trees may die within two to four years after they have been infested.
To date, over 15 million North American ash trees have been killed by the EAB. If the EAB is not contained, the devastation to our ash trees may be similar to that of the American elm trees that were decimated by Dutch Elm Disease. According to the Morton Arboretum Emerald Ash Borer website, the potential impact from the EAB in Illinois is significant. Ash trees account for six percent of forests state-wide and 20 percent of urban forests in communities in the northeastern part of the state or approximately 130 million ash trees.
EAB is a metallic green beetle about half the diameter of a penny and will be found on or around ash trees. Click here for an identification guide.
You know you have an EAB problem if you see:
- Snake-like or S-shaped paths (under the surface of the tree’s bark) and exit holes shaped like the letter D in the trunk or limbs
- Increased woodpecker activity
- Thinning canopy and yellow leaves
- Short vertical splits in the bark
- White colored larvae found under the bark
- Unusual leaves growing from the trunk and roots
For more detailed information on signs and symptoms of EAB infestation, click here.
If you suspect that you have an EAB problem contact the Village of Glenview at 847-657-3030. If you suspect an EAB problem in our parks, contact the Glenview Park District at 847-657-3215.
The gypsy moth is a leaf-eating insect that feeds on trees and shrubs and is among the most destructive insects in the United States. It is capable of stripping plants bare, leaving them vulnerable to secondary insect and disease attacks.
 Mature females lay their eggs in late summer, but most damage occurs in May and June when the caterpillars feed on leaves. The caterpillars have five double rows of dark blue spots, followed by six double rows of brick red spots on their dorsal surface. They also have a thin yellow median stripe along the length of their back.
Although the caterpillars prefer oak leaves, they will eat from more than 500 kinds of shrubs and trees and thus are known to be the most destructive forest and landscape pests in the United States, according to the University of Illinois Extension Program officials. Though there is no known way to eradicate the gypsy moth infestation, there are steps homeowners can take to minimize gypsy moth damage before the moths are sighted. These include planting trees that are hearty and will thrive in your location, taking good care of the trees you have by watering well during dry season, fertilizing and pruning, and protecting tree bark from damage caused by mowers and trimmers.
 Glenview is a quarantined area for the gypsy moth and egg masses have been spotted and destroyed at The Grove. If you see tan colored egg masses as shown in the photograph at left on tree bark or other surfaces on your property, they should be removed and destroyed immediately. Simply scrape them directly into a sturdy plastic bag, seal it, and throw it into the garbage, or scrape them directly into a container of soapy water to immediately kill the larvae, then transfer them into a sturdy plastic bag, seal it, and throw it into the garbage.
To find out more about the Gypsy Moth and to receive a copy of the University of Illinois Extension, “Homeowner’s Guide to the Gypsy Moth in Illinois, call 1-800-345-6087 or click here to review a copy of the Guide’s Frequently Asked Questions.
For the past fifty years the giant Canada goose population has been thriving thanks mostly to the successful efforts of fish and wildlife agencies to restore their populations. The giant Canada, most commonly seen in the Chicago-land area is the largest type of Canada goose.
General Information:
- The giant Canada goose is perfectly happy in urban and suburban areas. Expansive golf courses, neatly mowed lawns, business parks and recreational fields many dotted with ponds, lakes, and water reserves are perfect nesting area.
- In March/April Canada geese build nests in protected areas usually on the ground.
- The giant Canada mates for life.
- The geese will lay 4 to 8 eggs per nest and incubation lasts approximately 28 days. About 75 percent of those will become goslings by the fall flight season.
- Each female will produce more than 50 young in her life span.
- Canada geese can be aggressive to humans and pets during nesting season and to protect their brood.
- In mid-June, the geese begin molting their outer wing feathers and re-grow new ones. During this molting period geese will are flightless for 45 days and gather on ponds or lakes since they provide a safe resting place.
- Canada geese are grazers and move their broods to areas chosen for suitable food supply, visibility, and proximity to water.
- Messy, messy, messy. Large flocks can leave large amounts of fecal material. Though studies have found no health risk related to geese droppings, it is never wise for humans to handle animal fecal material. The Glenview Park District routinely cleans sports fields and golf courses.
Don’t Feed the Geese…
It is never wise to feed wild animals. Feeding the geese encourages them to flock to areas in unnatural numbers. And, bread does not provide the proper nutrients for geese! If geese fill up on the wrong nutrients they won’t consume the proper natural food they need to grow flying feathers.
 The red-winged blackbird is one of the most common and abundant birds in North America. They are fierce defenders of their nests, harassing all those that come close. Though smaller than the American robin, the red-winged black bird will think nothing of harassing hawks, crows and other large birds that pass over and will commonly escort humans away by hovering close and making angry calls.
The red-winged blackbirds can be found throughout the Glenview community and have reported to exhibit aggressive behavior in certain areas of the Glenview Park Golf Club, Flick Park, and Community Park West. Signs are posted in several of these areas warning visitors of the presence of red-winged nests.
Last updated 4/23/08
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Ph: 847.657.3215 
