It's a TRAP!!!

IT'S A TRAP!!!!

Yup, these purple hanging "works of art" are traps for the Emerald Ash Borer, an Asian beetle that is killing ash trees elsewhere. (We seem to be getting a lot of invasive beetle species here in Maine "from away"....which is why firewood from outside Maine is banned. The insects got in that way, for one example.
Anywho, this is a PSA saying if you see one, don't fool with it. It has a borer pheromone packet inside to attract these little jerks IF there are any in the area. Like a Japanese beetle trap you see in peoples' gardens. Same deal.

Any questions, check out www.maineforestservice.gov/purpletraps.htm. At least now we know what the heck these thingies are.