To all first-time site visitors: welcome! And thank you for reading more about this important project to protect Oregon’s agricultural economy and natural resources.


Here is a quick update on decisions made in the last few months

In the summer of 2018, Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA)’s traps caught over 17,000 Japanese beetles. Treatments in 2017 reduced the 2018 Japanese beetle populations by approximately 34%. In response, this past winter the Japanese beetle project team has been busy analyzing the detections and meeting with partners to create a strategy for 2019. The beetle battle is in high gear! Based on the information collected, the project is moving in the right direction with a lot of work ahead. A third year of treatment is proposed for 2019 with an expanded boundary to treat new areas where beetles have been found. The treatment will happen in March, April, and May using the same larvicide, Acelepryn G. Acelepryn G will be broadcast in the form of small granules over irrigated turf grass and ornamental beds of all properties in the designated treatment area in Washington County. In areas where the largest concentration of beetles were found last year, ODA may need to do a smaller targeted application of Acelepryn later in the summer to increase effectiveness of the treatment. Note: if you are in the area identified as needing an additional treatment, you will receive official notice by mail.



How to help

This is the state’s largest Japanese beetle eradication effort. There are multiple ways that you can help. 

Required

• Turn in your consent form online or by mail ASAP.
  • If you live in the treatment area you can expect to receive a notice in your mail with the consent form in late January.
  • A response from every resident in the treatment area is required.
• Follow all treatment instructions from mailers and treatment crew members.

Optional

• Attend events in your area to ask questions and learn more. Check out our Updates page for upcoming online and in-person events on February 15 & 19, 2019. 
• Improve your Japanese beetle identification. Know their physical traits and destructive habits. Visit our look-alike guide. 
• Spread the word to your neighbors and encourage them to return their consent forms and stay up-to-date on the project.
• Communicate with the ODA team with questions, concerns, and/or kudos. Members of the ODA team review emails, voicemails, and webform comments daily. Your communication is vital. Please get in touch if you have questions!
• Stay tuned and spread the word to your neighbors! To have a chance at eradicating the beetle–and stop if from ultimately spreading throughout Oregon and the western United States–ODA needs your support.

If you have questions or concerns, please look over our extensive Frequently Asked Questions about the project. Still have questions? Contact the ODA team. 

[Category tags: Consent, Community Engagement, Larvicide - Acelepryn, Residents, Updates, Treatment, Washington County]

Community Open House
A drop-in style, open house was held at Sunset High School on Tuesday, February 19th. Attendees who came were able to ask questions of the expert team leading and supporting the project. ​

Info Session: Japanese beetle in Washington County
​An online information session was held on Wednesday, February 13th.

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.

PLEASE NOTE: THIS POST IS AN ARCHIVE FROM THE 2017-2018 PROJECT YEAR.
2018 Treatment Information
For Residents in the Japanese Beetle Treatment Area in Cedar Mill and nearby Neighborhoods

Treatment may take place anytime between 8am and 5pm. There is just one treatment per property or residence scheduled for 2018.  

The treatment for Japanese beetles will be done by a professional, licensed pesticide applicator under contract with the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA). An observer from ODA will be also be present during treatment. Only lawns and ornamental planting beds will be treated. Vegetable gardens, berry bushes, and other edible plants will not be treated. 

This treatment consists of the application of Acelepryn G granular larvicide to lawns or ornamental planter beds. This will take approximately 15 minutes or less; most properties done in about 5 minutes or less. 

You do not need to be home or present for the application. If you will not be home, please see instructions below about how to prepare your residence for the treatment. 
The scheduled time above is weather dependent. If it is too rainy on the day of scheduled treatment, we will notify you of the rescheduled date as soon as possible. Very rainy weather or saturated soil increases the risk of the product being washed off the surface quickly and not entering the soil. Normal to light rain is OK. 
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Information from the Oregon Health Authority about Acelepryn G can be found at http://oda.direct/jbhealth

Before the treatment
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On or prior to the morning of treatment, please make sure that: 
1. Your property is accessible to the contractor’s crew. We need to treat front and backyards. All applicable outside gates and entryways should be unlocked. Animals must be kept inside for the safety of our crew. 
2. Non-stationary items that can be easily moved should be removed from lawns and grassy areas.
3. Water and food bowls for pets should be removed or covered during application.
4. Adults, children and pets of all kinds should remain inside during the application so as not to interfere with personnel conducting the treatment. The application should take 15 minutes or less to complete. 

After the treatment

To get the Acelepryn G near the grass roots to be effective against root-feeding grubs, we ask you to water your lawn for 5-10 minutes at your earliest convenience. If it has rained during or following application, it is not necessary to water it in. 

Keep children and pets off the treated area as long as granules are still visible. Inspect walkways and patios, and sweep-up or pick up stray granules (after putting on gloves). Granules are supposed to be watered in, as instructed by ODA. Keep off of the treated area until the granules are completely watered in and the lawn has dried. The area is then immediately safe to re-enter. 
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Please do not hesitate to contact ODA with any questions or concerns by phoning 1-800-525-0137 or emailing the project coordinator Chris Hedstrom at chedstrom@oda.state.or.us.