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.

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]

PLEASE NOTE: THIS POST IS AN ARCHIVE FROM THE 2017-2018 PROJECT YEAR.
Japanese beetles were first observed in Washington county in 2016. Subsequent trapping and risk modeling has determined that certain areas have a particularly high number of beetles that may hitchhike out of the area on high risk yard debris. To aid in successful eradication, Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) is working to contain the Japanese beetle population to a limited and manageable area.


ODA has enacted a yard debris quarantine as part of a multi-pronged approach to eradicate the Japanese beetle from Oregon. This quarantine minimizes their spread to other areas in the region by restricting where and how yard debris from inside the quarantine area is transported and processed. Two key containment strategies have been implemented: 1) yard debris in household curbside bins are covered and hauled directly to deep burial at the landfill and 2) yard debris picked up by landscapers is directed to be covered and transported directly to a designated yard debris drop-off site at Northwest Landscape Services, 1800 NW Cornelius Pass Rd, Hillsboro, OR. In 2017, approximately 2,000 tons of yard debris were successfully moved into a special deep burial zone at the Hillsboro landfill where Japanese beetles within the material cannot escape.

​Why a yard debris drop-off site outside of the quarantine area?

The Oregon Department of Agriculture, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, Metro and Washington County worked closely and deliberated over site locations. They ultimately chose this site for a few well-planned reasons. First, the site was chosen as the lowest risk site. This means that the site has the ability to manage the amount of material transferred and has the lowest risk of spreading beetles to other areas through re-sale of compost, recycled soil, or other mechanisms. Additionally, this drop-off site is in the same county where the population exists, Washington County, and is in near other commonly used yard debris drop-off sites reducing the burden on the landscapers or homeowners.

Explore the interactive map with both the boundary of the quarantine area and treatment area, here. ​

What happens at the drop-off site?

​This is a FREE service for those with material from the quarantine area. The time the material sits at the drop-off site is kept short in order to minimize the chance of beetles escaping and re-establishing in the area. Each load is then moved to a deep burial site in the Hillsboro Landfill to join the curbside yard debris from the quarantine area that is picked up by garbage haulers. Project partners monitor the quarantined yard debris to ensure proper disposal of material. When residents and landscapers comply with ODA regulations, they are more likely to succeed in protection of Oregon’s agriculture and natural resources.

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.
​
Examples of common beetles and pests that ARE NOT Japanese beetle: 

​
​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. 
​
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]

​

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.

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. 
​
Information from the Oregon Health Authority about Acelepryn G can be found at http://oda.direct/jbhealth

Before the treatment
​
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. 
​
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 [email protected]. 

PLEASE NOTE: THIS POST IS AN ARCHIVE FROM THE 2017-2018 PROJECT YEAR.
PLEASE NOTE: Three mailers have been sent to residents in the Cedar Mill treatment area: 1) a consent form, 2) a postcard with your correct PIN to use for online entry, and 3) a reminder postcard. The Oregon Department of Agriculture is currently posting notices on the doors of residents who have not responded.

Find out if you are in the Cedar Mill treatment area, visit: 
www.japanesebeetlepdx.info/treatment

Return you Consent Form NOW
Consent forms from the Oregon Department of Agriculture have been mailed to residents in the proposed 2018 Cedar Mill treatment area.

To return your form, you can either:
1) Submit your forms online using a Personal Identification Number (PIN) at the website: http://oda.direct/JBconsent
2) Download the consent form (DOWNLOAD PDF HERE) and return by email. 

Treatment for Japanese beetle begins on April 2nd, 2018. Please return your consent form right away. 
​
Thank you for your cooperation. Please contact ODA directly with any questions, email us [email protected] or call us at  1-800-525-0137.

Edited March 20, 2018 with updated information about ways to return a consent form.

PLEASE NOTE: THIS POST IS AN ARCHIVE FROM THE 2017-2018 PROJECT YEAR.
​On March 5th, 2018, ODA staff will be at the Cedar Mill Community Library 12505 NW Cornell Road Suite 13 Portland, Oregon 97229-5688 from 5:15 pm – 7:15 pm to answer questions about the project. You can also drop off consent forms or fill them out in person. If you received a notice that the deadline for consent form returns is February 28th but would like to attend the event, we recommend that you bring the form to the event or contact the project coordinator at 503-986-4654.