Another courtesy brought to you by the ethanol industry.

[Wandering Sagebrush]

From a boating friend in Florida...

Per the Florida Pest Control website:
“Camphor Shot borers are a type of ambrosia beetle. These beetles normally attack stressed out trees, and not gasoline cans. So what does a stressed out tree have in common with a gas can, you might be thinking? Ethanol. Trees emit chemicals when they become stressed or are injured. This triggers beetles and other pests to attack the tree. In the case of the Camphor Shot borer, they seem to be mostly attracted to alcohols. Much of the unleaded gas we have contains an alcohol called ethanol. The beetle can't tell the alcohol in the gas can from chemicals emitted by a tree, so they dig on in!

These beetles are usually most active in the months of March through June, so what can you do in the meantime to protect your gas cans from them? Basically, you will need to place the cans inside, or cover them with something to impede the beetles' attack. These beetles feed on a large range of trees, so chemical treatments are not advised.”

 

[ski3pin]

At least I hope they are happy drunks.

 

[Old Crow]

Here's a guy with the problem...

My first thought was 'glad we don't have them here'... only to find they've also been found as far north as southern PA (There's also a distribution map in the article. And a stunning photo of a beetle-riddled gas can.)

After seeing the video and map, I was wondering if I should go look over my gas cans, mowers and motor-toys. Then I remembered I've only used ethanol-free gas in all my small-motor equipment and vehicles for several years. (Link to ethanol-free gas finder)

But my Tundra has a plastic gas tank and I do use E10 in that.

 

[larryqp]

The heck with the gas cans, what about the vodka in plastic bottles. LOL
I never heard of a bug eating through plastic before.

 

[Casa Escarlata Robles Too]

Great something else to think about.
Frank

 

[Foy]

we have ongoing problems with squirrels knawing through plastic mower fuel tanks and filler caps, but looks like we may have these guys to look out for too, But I do use only ethanol-free gasoline---at least according to the wholesaler and retailer!

Foy

 

[Andy Douglass]

Not meaning to start a diesel/gas war, but......+1 for diesel.

 

[JaSAn]

Any evidence of them attacking vehicle gas tanks?

 

[ntsqd]

Seems like a "sacrificial anode" approach could be devised. One that traps and kills the insect.

 

[Old Crow]

Any evidence of them attacking vehicle gas tanks?

That's an excellent question. There's not a whole lot of info on the subject and what I am finding all references plastic gas cans and mower tanks-- nothing on vehicle tanks so far.

I called in to my local County Extension office this morning and just had a call back from the insects guy. He's quite familiar with the various ambrosia beetles in his work with ornamentals and said a few of the camphor shoot beetles have been found in this area but no reports of gas can, mower-tank, or vehicle damage. He then said he'd shoot an email to the state entomologist to see what he has to say.

As I was writing this up he called back and said the state guy had responded and said he gets a call or two a year about the camphor shoot beetles but no reports of gas-tank damage so far (of any kind).

My local guy put my name and number in his ambrosia beetles file and will call if he learns anything new on the issue.
.