State and national agricultural workers are planning to set traps across the state to prevent the spread of a destructive beetle.

The state announced Tuesday that 163 traps will be set to catch the emerald ash borer and detect unknown populations. The traps will be set in 23 counties starting this month.

The beetle kills North American ash trees after it emerges in June and July.

Most of the traps will be three-sided, purple, sticky prisms. Others are funnel shaped and are coated with Fluon, a slippery resin.

The Kansas Department of Agriculture says the traps present no danger to humans, pets or wildlife.

The state is asking Kansans to report downed traps to the agriculture department at 785.564.6698.