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]

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.

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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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]

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.
  
  

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.

Damage on Rosa sp. from the Japanese Beetle. Photograph by Oregon Department of Agriculture.