invasive pests

The Washington State Department of Agriculture is gearing up for another season of pest hunting.  Each year, WSDA surveys for over 130 insects, weeds and pathogens.  And WSDA points out while some of these pests, such as spongy moth, have been found in the state, most of these pests have not yet been found in Washington but could threaten agriculture or the environment should they establish here.

With these cold temperatures, and snow in the forecast, you may need firewood for your fireplace or wood burning stove.  But the rule of thumb when gathering firewood when camping holds true during the colder months of the year....“Buy fire...

The director of the WSU Puyallup Research and Extension Center, Todd Murray, has been elected chair of the Washington Invasive Species Council.   “This is a milestone for me,” Murray said. “Ever since I identified and reported my first invasive , I’ve enjoyed leveraging WSU Extension’s reach to help groups like landscapers, master gardeners, pest management professionals, and city workers, educati

The Washington State Department of Agriculture is investigating a possible northern giant hornet sighting in the Burley area near Port Orchard.  This invasive species is a known predator of honeybees.  The northern giant hornet is the largest hornet in the world, measuring up to 2 inches long.  This invasive spe...

Organization trying to educate Oregonians about Invasive Species may be eligible for grants.  The Oregon Invasive Species Council Invasive Species Education and Outreach Grants are open.  In 2024-2024, $150,000 in funds will be available for grants.   Invasive s...

This week, the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) announced results of its annual invasive pest survey season.

Those living in south central Washington may have the pest Japanese beetle in their yards right now.   For those that do, they can get their properties treated free of charge this spring.   Following up on the in-person open house held earlier this month, the Washington State Department of Agriculture will host a virtual open house on Tuesday, starting a noon (PT) to share information about its pl

Global trade in food and agricultural products is expanding rapidly.  And while that may be good for the farm economy, it does increase the risk of foreign insects and pests getting into the country, and U.S. crops may not have natural defense for these pests and diseases.   “...

Washington State Department of Agriculture officials confirmed last week that Japanese beetles have spread beyond the initial quarantine area established earlier this year.  On Thursday, December 15th, the WSDA filed an emergency rule to expand the boundaries of the internal quarantine of Japanese beetle.  The Dep...

A non-native bug is damaging “white oak” trees around Oregon.  State Department of Forestry’s Christine Buhl said the oak lace bug has been here since 2015, but this year, things are looking especially bad.   “It is an aesthetic pest that can make oaks look pretty bad, and so that’s a concern for the typical homeowner, even though it’s not killing the trees. But, the larger concern is always that