August 14, 2008 Beetle infestation spreading in Central Massachusetts Play video

(Jennifer Eagan, NECN) - Some residents are worried that Asian Longhorned beetles could move into their neighborhood. They've been found outside of Worcester, and there's concern about the damage they could bring.

Katherine Puleo's backyard is her sanctuary. It's where the Holden resident spends hours gardening. But as she found out Thursday...this landscape could undergo a big change..

Puleo's home...just over the Worcester line...is now within the regulated area...put in place by the U.S. department of agriculture to control the infestation of the Asian Longhorned beetle.

Infested trees were found in the Greendale section of Worcester last week.

Now officials from the USDA say they have found infested trees close to the Holden and West Boylston town lines.

As well as along the Worcester-Shrewsbury line. The beetle is known to bore into hardwood trees...eventually killing them.

Officials say...once a tree is infested...it has to be knocked down...along with surrounding trees.