YAKIMA — Trapping efforts yielded more invasive Japanese beetles this year in Central Washington than last year.
More than 26,600 of the beetles were captured this year, compared to 19,655 in 2023, according to the Washington State Department of Agriculture.
The vast majority, more than 24,700, came from the Grandview area, where the infestation started. More than 1,500 of the beetles were caught in Wapato, about 400 in Pasco and one in Kennewick.
The state Department of Agriculture offers a free yard treatment program using Acelepryn, an insecticide which kills the beetle in its larval stages.
Only half of residents in target areas have given their consent to have their yards treated, which is not enough to stop the beetle’s spread, department officials said.
“So far the level of community participation has only been enough to slow, but not stop or eradicate Japanese beetles from our state,” Sven Spichiger, WSDA Pest Program manager, said in a news release.
In large numbers, Japanese beetles can kill commercially important crops like hops, grapes, and roses.
The state Department of Agriculture has consent forms for yard treatment ready for 2025, and it is planning treatments in the areas around Sunnyside, Grandview, Mabton and a portion of Pasco.
In September, a quarantine area was expanded in the Lower Yakima Valley. It mandates that soils, yard waste, potted plants, and nursery stock may not be transported beyond the boundary. They can spread the beetle’s larvae.
Quarantine rules were amended to cover soil samples and cut flowers. Businesses in the quarantine must display signage alerting customers that restricted items cannot be taken outside the quarantine. These items include potted plants and nursery stock.
Two yard debris drop-off stations are available for the public to use for free: one at 875 Bridgeview Road in Grandview and another at 2525 S. Emerald Road in Sunnyside.
For more information, visit the state Department of Agriculture website, agr.wa.gov/beetles.
