GRANDVIEW — The Washington State Department of Agriculture plans to start treatments to eradicate an invasive Japanese beetle infestation on May 2 in central Washington.
The agency plans to treat around 2,000 acres (809 hectares) in Grandview and surrounding areas of Yakima and Benton counties, State agriculture officials said Thursday in a news release.
The highly invasive pest eats more than 300 different plants including roses, grapes, and hops. If left to reproduce and spread, the beetles would pose a serious threat to farms, gardens, and the environment of Washington state, officials said.
Acelepryn, the product being used to treat the area, is a low-risk insecticide that is not hazardous to people or pets, officials said.