General Tree Service Chosen By ODA For Japanese Beetle Eradication

2019 Update on Eradication program

As 2019 draws to a close, here’s an update on the Japanese Beetle Eradication project.

• Estimated 3,000 acres was treated in 2019, including 8,500 residences, 6 schools, 8 parks, 3 shopping centers and 1 golf course.
• 7,749 Japanese beetles were trapped in the Cedar Mill area, a 56% reduction from 2018.
• 65% reduction in the number of beetles trapped within the 2018 treatment boundary as a result of the 2018 granular treatment and 2019 foliar treatment.
• 75% decrease within the boundaries of the supplementary foliar treatment.

We are pleased with our success and are planning to be even more aggressive in 2020 while we have the upper hand.  To that end, we’ll be enlarging our treatment boundary for the 2020 eradication.

General Tree Service is proud to have been awarded the contract for the Japanese Beetle Eradication program by the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA).

Our staff is familiar with the destructive nature of the Japanese Beetle and recognize both the short and long term effects it may have if not effectively dealt with now.

Japanese Beetle is a real threat

Over the past 30 years, the Japanese Beetle (JB) has been detected several times in various parts of Oregon and has been successfully eradicated each time.  Therefore, Oregon state’s policy is to eliminate the beetle before breeding populations can be established.

The reasoning behind this is simple-they are potentially destructive to many things we hold dear:  roses, grapes, orchard fruits, cane berries, corn, hops, outdoor cannabis and urban forest trees.

Gardens, forests and agriculture are a vital part of Oregon’s appeal, but it goes deeper as it affects our economy, landscape and ecological function.

For example, the nursery industry is a major driver in Oregon’s economy so if the beetles infect our nursery stock, import/exports will be affected and that quickly impacts our state’s economy.

Window of opportunity

The ODA has been tracking the Japanese Beetle and determined the best time to eradicate them is this spring.  If not done now, the beetles will establish themselves and not only will it be more expensive to remove them, it will likely be more difficult with a lower rate of success.

Treatment plan for Japanese Beetle Eradication

The ODA’s plan calls for a professionally licensed lawn care expert (General Tree Service) to apply a single application of Acelepryn G, a low-risk insecticide that doesn’t present a hazard to humans or domestic animals.  This product comes in a dry granular form and applied with hand-held spreaders.

Treatments started in mid-April and are scheduled to be completed by the end of May.

Over the past few months, ODA has taken great care to educate residents living in the eradication zone. Printed materials were used to introduce them to the project and implementation of the treatment program.

Their consent was received and they were given 48 to 72 hours advance written notice when their property was being treated and another notice after treatment had been applied.

We pride ourselves on our work ethic and will continue the rest of the treatments with the same accuracy and professionalism that we maintain on all services we provide.

SAFETY GUIDELINES TO FOLLOW

The safety of the residents and the environment is always a priority so every precaution is being followed during the treatment process.

• People and pets are urged to stay inside while their property is treated (15-30 minutes).
• After granules are spread, residents should water the area to allow the granules to break down and soak into the soil.
• Children and pets should be kept off the treated area if granules are still visible.
• Once watered in, keep off the treated area until it dries.
• Granules will be blown off sidewalks/walkways but we urge people to inspect their outdoor areas for stray granules.
• Wear gloves when picking up granules and wash hands with soap and water if you have direct contact with them.

Special note on yard waste

Since their larvae live in the soil and feed on the roots of grass and other plants, all soil (even that in potted plants) could contain grubs and eggs.  This means moving soil can easily spread the pest to other areas so yard debris and green waste needs special handling.

ODA will soon give Cedar Mills residents instructions on how to dispose their green waste correctly. If you use a landscape service, ODA asks that you contact them so they can tell your service how to properly deal with  any green waste.

We, here at General Tree Service, are happy that we can assist the ODA in the treatment and eradication of the Japanese Beetle.  In addition, we thank them for the opportunity to do our part to keep Oregon’s environment healthy and free from this invasive species.

To learn more, read our post The Japanese Beetle is Invasive Pest Threatening Oregon (Part 1 of 2 posts).

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