Fight against Japanese beetle begins
By Terry Murry on Monday, May 15th, 2023 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
WAPATO – Nearly a year after discovering Japanese beetles in Wapato, the Washington State Department of Agriculture is beginning treatment this week on city properties. The WSDA will be hosting an open house tonight (Monday) from 5 to 7 p.m. at Lions Park, 1109 South Camas Avenue, to discuss treatment plans.
According to the WSDA, teams will also begin gathering treatment permissions from Wapato area residents by going door-to-door with the treatment consent forms.
WSDA is hoping to treat approximately 1,500 properties in the Wapato area, encompassing around 500 acres. Residents will need to sign a consent form allowing WSDA and its contractor to apply the insecticide treatment for the invasive pest.
More than ever, public participation is key in fighting invasive species. WSDA is asking residents – especially in Yakima and Benton counties – to look for and report Japanese beetles on their property. Another Japanese beetle hotspot has been found in Oregon’s Washington County.
If you live in Washington state and think you see a Japanese beetle, please snap a photo and report the sighting online at https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/85203491d0dd43f299d9e3f01177adcf.
More information about Japanese beetle eradication in Oregon can be found at https://www.japanesebeetlepdx.info/.
