MADISON, Wis. -- The war is on against the dreaded Emerald Ash Borer,

The beetle hasn't crossed into Wisconsin yet, but 1,400 ash trees have been cut down in the southern part of the state as a precaution, state officials said.

"We will consider, as time goes on, current science, current recommendations from our federal partners and also what's happening in other states when we have to deal with similar problems," said state Department of Agriculture plant specialist Mick Skwarok. "So, our strategy for removing trees still remains. That would still work in some cases, but we also realize that in some cases it may not work."

Agriculture specialists said that they believe it's only a matter of time before the Ash Borer reaches Wisconsin.

At this point, it's about 30 miles south of the Wisconsin-Illinois border, WISC-TV reported.