Help save Oregon from Japanese Beetle
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Project Updates

2020 Open House Schedule

1/17/2020

 
Community Open House
Two drop-in style, open house's will be held this winter. The first event will take place at Meadow Park Middle School, from 5pm to 7pm Tuesday, February 12th. The second event will be held at the Cedar Mill Public Library, from 1pm to 3pm Saturday, February 22nd. Experts will be ready to answer your questions about the Japanese beetle project.
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Fall Leaves & Japanese Beetles

9/17/2018

 
Loads of fall leaves DO NOT need to be taken to the Japanese beetle yard debris drop off site in Hillsboro. Loads of fallen leaves are not a risk to spread Japanese beetle and are not part of the quarantined material. Please see the list below for material that falls within the quarantine.

The yard debris quarantine is intended to prevent the spread of Japanese beetle in Oregon and to ensure the success of the current eradication program. The quarantine went into effect in Summer of 2017 and is still active through 2018. The boundary of the quarantine was expanded because of increased Japanese beetle detections in the county in 2017.

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If you live within the area, you can keep using your yard waste curbside bin as normal. If in doubt about what is included, please ask us.
The Oregon Department of Agriculture is asking all residents, landscapers, and waste managers that work in the yard debris quarantine area to adhere to the information below in order to comply with the quarantine to prevent the spread of both Japanese beetle adults and larvae:

Quarantined yard debris and material:
  • grass clippings
  • plants with roots or soil attached
  • sod or removed turfgrass
  • growing media (i.e. potting soil from raised beds or potted plants, NOT fill dirt)
  • compost
  • bulbs or tubers of ornamental plants
  • mixed loads containing any of the above material (avoid mixed loads containing garbage and non-plant material)

Not necessary or acceptable materials:
  • loads of only leaves in the Fall/Autumn
  • tree limbs or prunings (no roots attached)
  • shrubs prunings or clippings (no roots attached)
  • fill dirt
  • lumber or fence boards with dirt attached
  • non-plant materials (for example: lumber, cement, gravel, and fencing)
  • materials not on the list of quarantined debris or materials

Note:
  • Compost and transfer facilities ARE NOT ALLOWED to accept yard debris from the quarantine area in order to prevent the spread of Japanese beetle.
  • If possible, keep yard debris at the property or use a standard curbside yard debris bin. However, if yard debris must be removed from the property, bag and cover the load and take it directly to: Northwest Landscape Services, 1800 NW Cornelius Pass Rd, Hillsboro, OR - (503) 486-5154.
    • Summer Hours of Operation: Monday - Friday: 6am to 6pm, Saturday by appointment; Closed Sunday. CLOSED for the Fall/Winter starting OCTOBER 5th, 2018 at 6pm. Northwest Landscape Services will reopen APRIL 1st, 2019.
    • There is no charge for residents within the quarantine or their landscape companies to dispose of yard debris waste at Northwest Landscape Services.
  • As of April 2018, the road signs on Saltzman Road, NW 143rd Ave, and other locations regarding the Japanese beetle quarantine have been removed. This does not mean that the quarantine is not in effect.

[TAGS: Washington County, Gardeners, Quarantine, Residents, Yard debris, Landscapers, Northwest Landscaping Services, Updates, Beetles in Oregon]

The Beetles are Coming

7/2/2018

 
In early summer when the longer days warm up the soil, Japanese beetles start emerging from the ground. If you live in a place like Washington County where beetles have been found, you could see one beetle, two beetles, or thousands in your neighborhood! Have you seen any yet this season? Right now the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA), along with many other partners, is deep into an eradication project to stop this destructive garden and agricultural pest from establishing a permanent population in Oregon. And the ODA needs your help!
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How can you identify a Japanese beetle?
Japanese beetles have three main identifying characteristics:
  1. A metallic green thorax
  2. Reddish-brown wing covers
  3. Little patches of white hair under and around its wing covers

The Japanese beetle is the only beetle in this area that has all three of these characteristics. There are a few other beetles in the area, both native and non-native, that are also metallic or otherwise look similar. Check out our Japanese beetle look alike guide to see who’s who.
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Examples of common beetles and pests that ARE NOT Japanese beetle: 
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​What to do if you come across some beetles?
If you are within the treatment area and see adult Japanese beetles, then the ODA advises that you dispose of them in a container of soapy water. Using store bought insecticides will not significantly decrease Japanese beetle populations.
If beetles are observed outside the treatment area, please put the specimen in a container or bag and email or call ODA at the contact information provided below.
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A Japanese beetle trap. If you live in the quarantine area, you can help the project by giving permission to ODA to put one in your yard!

How long will this last?!
Japanese beetles are already an issue being addressed in Washington County, and the issue can’t be solved overnight. It may take up to 5 years to eradicate the population entirely. 
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How to help be part of the solution!
Cooperation from those in the treatment area is critical to protect Oregon’s gardens and agricultural economy!  Here’s what you can do to help:
  • Report Japanese beetles, as well as beetle damage to lawns, roses, grapes, fruits, and other trees and shrubs to ODA if you live outside of the treatment area.
  • Cooperate with ODA staff when they request permission to place traps on your property during the summer and consent to treatment each spring.
  • Comply with quarantine regulations; read more about those regulations on our Prevention page.
  • Communicate with your neighbors about the importance of this issue!

[TAGS: Japanese beetle threat, Japanese beetle basics, Beetles in Oregon, Invasive species]

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The Beetle Battle Continues...Don’t Move Yard Debris

6/14/2018

 
Beetles can be moved in yard debris through the removal and movement of items such as sod and grass clippings. The risk of moving beetles is highest over the summer when adult beetles are emerging from the soil and moving around to feed and find mates.
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Hungry beetles are extremely active during the summer months. Photo provided by Melissa Schreiner, Colorado, USA.
It is very important that beetles are contained within Washington County while treatment takes effect. Containment efforts are ramping up, with a quarantine on all yard debris still in effect and expanding in 2018. Residences will receive electronic notices from Oregon Department of Agriculture, along with other communications planned throughout the summer.

For more information about the quarantine check back on our
Prevention page for the most recent information.  

[TAGS: Beetles in Oregon, Japanese beetle basics, Japanese beetle threat, Invasive species, Gardeners, Quarantine, Residents, Landscapers, Washington County, Yard debris]



Update on the Second Year of Treatment

6/11/2018

 
PLEASE NOTE: THIS POST IS AN ARCHIVE FROM THE 2017-2018 PROJECT YEAR.
Second Treatment Wrapping Up in 2018
Thank you to residents and land managers in Washington County (Cedar Mill, Bethany and Oak Hills) and Oakland area that have been helping the Oregon Department of Agriculture beat the Japanese beetle!

The Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) is currently wrapping up a second treatment in year two of the Japanese beetle eradication project. Support from resident in the area has been very positive. Before treatment, the ODA received over 5,000 responses from residents allowing ODA and their staff to treat the properties, including 30 Homeowners Associations supporting treatment in common areas. Tualatin Hills Parks and Recreation Department and the Beaverton School District are also supporting the project and allowing treatment to parks and school fields.

Applicator crews have said that residents in the area are expressing their support for the project, with many "Thank you’s" and "Get those beetles!". Thank you to all of the residents who are working with us to protect Oregon’s plants and agriculture from this invasive species!
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Contractor applies granular larvicide for treatment in 2018. Photo credit: Christopher Hedstrom.
Summary of the 2018 Treatment
The ODA continued their relationship with General Tree Service to apply the same treatment as last year, a granular pesticide called Acelepryn G® which is a targeted larvicide that kills certain pests in their larval state in the soil. The granules are broadcasted on lawns and other landscaped areas, then it breaks down into the soil when it is watered in through rain or sprinklers. This pesticide is a “reduced risk” pesticide and is not considered a health threat for humans, pets, and other insects that don’t go through a larvae stage in treatment areas. According to the label, “Acelepryn G is recommended for Integrated Pest Management programs on turf and landscape ornamentals because it does not directly impact natural arthropod predator and parasitoid populations including ladybird beetles (aka ‘ladybugs’).”  Since the treatment targets certain pest larvae in the soil, the treatment with Acelepryn G® has no adverse effects on pollinators when applied according to the label instructions. For more treatment & health information, please visit our Treatment page.

A snapshot of the treatment area in Washington County
  • The area includes about 2000 acres of public and private land.
  • As of June 1, 2018, approximately 5,800 residences, 5 parks, and 5 schools were treated.

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A screenshot of the interactive map showing the boundaries of the treatment area in 2018. Click the image to explore the interactive map.

While there have been some delays due to weather, treatment has been able to be completed as scheduled due in large part to the hard work by application crews. A big shout out to the crews members and crew leads who are working long days, rain or shine, to make sure treatment is done correctly and on time.

Damages in 2017

9/5/2017

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PLEASE NOTE: THIS POST IS AN ARCHIVE FROM 2017.
​Below is a sample of the plant damage that has been seen in the Cedar Mill area in the summer of 2017 as a result of the infestation of Japanese beetles.
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Damage on Rosa sp. from the Japanese Beetle. Photograph by Oregon Department of Agriculture.

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Japanese beetle caught feeding on a flower. Photograph by Oregon Department of Agriculture.

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Live beetle bites into unidentified plant leaf. Photograph by Oregon Department of Agriculture.
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Current Infestation Status

8/18/2017

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PLEASE NOTE: THIS POST IS AN ARCHIVE FROM 2017.
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Japanese beetles in floral pheromone traps in late July, 2017 in the Cedar Mill neighborhood. Photograph by Chris Hedstrom, ODA. 

View all current catches on the interactive map, here:
oda.direct/jbmap
As far as Japanese beetle habits go, the beetles are at the tail end of peak flight—which means there are many beetles flying—and it is important to use best management practices when disposing of the green waste and yard debris generated from this area.
Currently, the Oregon Department of Agriculture has detected over 12,000 adult beetles from our detection grids. Roughly 2% of these beetles have been found outside of the treatment area. The core of the infestation is located at the center of the treatment area, west of Saltzman Rd and Hartford St, in the Cedar Mill area. Some areas have a sporadic distribution of traps with beetles, possibly the result of beetles being transported on vehicles. However, one trapping area captured beetles consistently throughout a new area, which could indicate low-level infestation and may warrant expansion of the treatment and quarantine boundary in 2018.
We will begin to analyze the information from this year’s surveillance activity to help us develop the 2018 response plan for year two of the eradication project, which begins spring of 2018. The Oregon Department of Agriculture will be seeking greater community support and likely additional funding to have a chance at eradicating this unprecedented amount of Japanese beetles in the Pacific Northwest.
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    Header photograph by Whitney Cranshaw, bugwood.org

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