MISSISSAUGA — A little bug is causing big headaches for Malton residents looking to clean up after the devastating ice storm that recently battered Mississauga and other parts of the GTA.

The Asian long-horned beetle is an invasive pest that can wreak havoc on deciduous trees, particularly maple. The creature was discovered in the Malton area in August and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency put in place a quarantine zone as it works to eliminate the insect.

The CFIA has placed restrictions on moving trees, plants and wood outside of the 20-square-kilometre zone. The City of Mississauga is letting residents know these rules apply to tree debris from the recent storm.

The quarantine zone is bordered in the north by Finch Ave. W., in the east by Martin Grove Rd., in the south by Hwy. 401 and in the west by Dixie Rd.

Starting Thursday, residents in the quarantine area can drop off tree-related debris at 2699 Drew Rd. between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday.

The idea is to stop the spread of the insect outside the quarantine zone.

Some may scoff at the impact the beetle could have on trees, but the City was forced to adopt a 10-year, $50-million plan to deal with an infestation of the emerald ash borer. The municipality first became aware of the borers in 2008 when they started popping up on private property and, by 2010, the City had found the insect had spread to trees on municipal property.

Anyone who ignores the CFIA zone and moves wood out could be fined or charged.

In addition, the Region of Peel will undertake a special yard waste collection period beginning the week of Jan. 13. Workers will be picking up bundles of wood and brush that don't exceed 1.2 metres in length, 76 centimetres in diameter and weigh no more than 20 kilograms.

Residents outside of Malton can also take tree debris to community recycling centres, where the fees will be waived.