WSDA Kicks Off Beetle Treatment In The Tri-Cities This Week

The annual treatments targeting the Japanese beetle get underway this week in Washington.

The State Department of Agriculture said crews will begin applying treatments in the Tri-Cities area now, with Yakima and Benton counties scheduled for next week, and King County treatments starting April 13th.  WSDA said the timing depends on when beetle larvae resume feeding in the soil, along with weather conditions such as rain and wind.  Officials say consent from property owners is critical, but so far, fewer than half of residents in treatment areas have responded. 

“Our state’s beetle eradication success or failure hinges on getting access to treat properties,” Sven Spichiger, WSDA’s Pest Program manager, said. “Untreated properties become a haven for beetles where they can thrive and multiply. To succeed, everyone in each community threatened by Japanese beetle needs to come together and ensure that all properties are treated.” 

WSDA warns untreated properties can allow beetles to spread and multiply, threatening the success of the multi-year eradication effort.  The treatment uses a reduced-risk insecticide applied to lawns.  It’s considered safe for people, pets, and wildlife, and is provided at no cost within designated areas.

Email or text notifications will be sent to residents prior to treatment. Residents do not need to be on site for treatments, but are asked to prepare their yards so that the treatments are not delayed: 

• Clear lawn of all items
• Keep pets inside or isolated from lawns and shrubs
• Keep gates unlocked or open as backyards also need to be treated
• Ideally, mow the lawn shortly before treatment. 

Once the property is treated, both people and pets should stay out of treated areas until the product is dry as a precaution. Once it is dry, entrance is permitted without any further restriction, but residents should wait at least one day before mowing their lawns. 

Japanese beetles were first detected in the Yakima Valley in 2020 and have since spread to multiple counties.  The insects feed on more than 300 plant types, including lawns, roses, grapes, and hops.

Department of Ag officials say it will take several years of coordinated treatment to fully eliminate the pest.

Visit the WSDA's Website to learn more about this invasive pest, or about the state' eradication effort.

If you have a story idea for the PNW Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail glenn.vaagen@townsquaremedia.com