WA ag officials: Sign up to have your property treated for invasive beetles
Adult Japanese beetles are mainly seen in the summer, often first emerging in June. However, they have been reported from mid-May through mid-October. They range from 1/3 to 1/2 inches long with metallic green head and thorax, and copper wing covers.
Courtesy Washington State Department of AgricultureThe Washington State Department of Agriculture is again pressing property owners in Pasco and parts of Kennewick to sign up to have their property treated for invasive Japanese beetles that can devastate numerous crops as well as gardens and lawns.
Officials will treat properties in Benton, Franklin, King and Yakima counties later this spring as part of ongoing eradication efforts targeting the insects, according to a release.
The treatments use a “reduced risk” pesticide, Acelepryn, that is not considered a health risk for humans, pets, wildlife and other insects (including bees) that don't go through a larval stage in soil.
Only properties where owners have explicitly granted consent will be treated and consent must be given each year. Multiple treatments are required to effectively kill off Japanese beetles on a property.
Consent forms for this spring’s round of treatments must be filed by March 31.
To find consent forms and other information, including a map of targeted areas, go to: https://agr.wa.gov/departments/insects-pests-and-weeds/insects/japanese-beetle/treatment/past-treatment-efforts/2026-treatments
