PASCO, Wash. – The Washington State Department of Agriculture is requesting residents living in areas of concern to allow crews to treat private lawns as part of a multi-year effort to eradicate the Japanese beetle.
Half of Sun Willows Golf Course received treatment on Wednesday, with the other nine holes scheduled for treatment Thursday.
The invasive pest poses a serious threat to crops, especially hops and grapes, as well as roses and grass lawns. Karla Salp, a communications consultant for the Department of Agriculture, said the insect spends much of its life cycle as a grub, feeding on the roots of lawn.
Japanese beetle numbers rise in Tri-Cities threatening local crops
“You might see brown spots or even entire areas that are brown in your lawn,” Salp said. “Sometimes the damage can get so bad that you can basically pull up the grass like carpet,” Salp said.
The department reports that only roughly one-third of the Washington residents it has contacted have agreed to let crews treat their property.
WSDA reports that in 2025, trappers caught nearly 70,000 Japanese beetles in Yakima County, nearly 2,400 in the Pasco area and 865 in King County. 10 were caught in Kennewick.
“A few thousand may not sound like that many, but it means we’re still at a level here in the Tri-Cities where we can potentially eradicate them,” Salp said.
An interactive map outlines treatment zones across Washington, with target areas in Franklin, Benton, Yakima, and King Counties. Residents living in treatment zones are urged to fill out a WSDA consent form to allow treatment.
“It’s not going to damage your lawn. In fact, it’s going to protect your lawn and your plants,” Salp said.
The WSDA assures treatment does not pose a danger to people or pets.
“We’re really at a critical juncture where people need to sign up to get these treatments done,” Salp said. “Otherwise, we’re going to be living with the Japanese beetle forever.”
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