Japanese Beetle Eradication
Mesa County’s aggressive efforts to combat the invasive Japanese Beetle are showing significant progress. In 2024, the County treated 1,428 acres of turf, a notable increase from 1,200 acres in 2023. This proactive approach led to an 86% decrease in Japanese beetle captures — from 5,716 in 2023 to 830 in 2024.
The effort, supported in collaboration with the Colorado Department of Agriculture, Colorado State University Extension Office, and the City of Grand Junction, focuses on targeted trapping, spraying, and containment. Data indicates that most beetle captures occurred within defined treatment zones, confirming that current strategies are effective in limiting the pest’s spread.
Looking ahead to 2025
- Expanded Treatment: Hotspots and border areas will receive additional focus to prevent migration.
- Sustainable Practices: Continued evaluation of pest control methods to ensure long-term effectiveness.
- Community Engagement: Residents’ cooperation is essential, as most treatment areas include private properties.
- Strengthened Partnerships: Collaboration with state and university partners remains a priority.
Mesa County anticipates several more years of diligent effort to eliminate the Japanese Beetle and appreciates the community’s support.
Infestation Area
Japanese Beetle Treatment Zone interactive map
- The borders of the infestation are generally in the area between 24 Road and 27 1/2 Road between Patterson Road and H 1/2 Road. You may use the Japanese Beetle Treatment Zone interactive map to search for your home address to see if you are within the affected area.
- Properties outlined in red are subject to eradication efforts.
- Homeowners in this area will be contacted to give their consent for Mesa County to complete free Japanese Beetle grub control treatments on their lawn.
Eradication Plan
This instructional video will guide you through applying grub control granules.
Mesa County Commissioners have declared Japanese Beetle as a public nuisance pest requiring control or eradication.
The Commissioners have approved funding to cover the cost of grub control treatments in the affected area. Noxious Weed and Pest Management is collaborating with industry and government partners to implement eradication efforts and support property owners in the treatment area.
Grub Control Treatment
Mesa County will fund grub control treatments, which will be conducted by licensed and registered commercial applicators. Property owners in affected areas will receive an informational letter and consent form to authorize treatment on their property. Treatments will be applied in early spring (April–June) with follow-ups in August and September. Public parks in both the City and County will also be treated.
Information and Resources
Property owners outside of the infestation area can prevent Japanese Beetle establishment in their area by completing grub control treatments with homeowner formulations or contacting a local turf management company.
Licensed commercial applicators for lawn care
- Bookcliff Gardens 970-242-7766
- Bookcliff Lawn Care 970-210-3774
- Colorado Vegetation Management 970-261-1304
- IHS Lawn and Landscape Maintenance 970-986-7927
- Jerry’s Pest Control 970-242-7455
- Liqui-Green Turf and Tree Care 970-256-1928
- Mesa Turf Masters 970-331-0913
- Peaceful Valley Irrigation and Landscaping 970-640-3478
- Penguin Pest Control 970-245-7711
- Thompsons Enterprises 970-739-0596
- TruGreen Lawn Care 970-245-4404
- Western Slope Pest Control 970-216-7384
- WD Yard Inc 970-243-1229
Colorado State University Extension Information
Educational support is being provided by Colorado State University Extension Services.
- Tri-River Area Colorado State University Extension
- Japanese Beetle Fact Sheet from Colorado State University Extension
Interested in more information? Subscribe to the Mesa County Agricultural Updates
By using traps with a pheromone lure that attracts adults, we can determine where our treatments will be most effective and provide valuable data about how the Japanese Beetle populations are changing over time. Trapping and monitoring are being provided by the Colorado Department of Agriculture. A robust network of traps allows us to make informed decisions about future eradication efforts.
Are you interested in helping us determine the effectiveness of our treatments? Homeowners can consent to have a monitoring trap placed on their property by emailing the Noxious Weed and Pest Management department.
Please note: Traps will be placed where they are needed to collect monitoring data, so every property may not receive a trap.
Japanese beetle (Popillia japonica) was discovered in Grand Junction in 2022. Mesa County declared Japanese beetle a public nuisance in March 2023. Mesa County and the City of Grand Junction have embarked on a program to eradicate the beetle from Mesa County. This information is intended to help property owners participate in eradication efforts. Japanese beetle is an exotic invasive insect that feeds on over 300 plants, including turfgrass. Both the immature form (a grub) and the adult (a beetle) feed on plants and cause damage.
Adult beetles feed on leaves and fruit of hundreds of species, including fruit trees, ornamental and shade trees, vines, and field and vegetable crops. Larvae feed on the roots of irrigated turf and can be one of the many causes of brown spots in a lawn.
The goal of activities related to Japanese beetles is to eradicate Japanese beetles from Mesa County.
How you can help:
Identification
If you suspect you have Japanese beetle, adults or larvae, please bring a sample to the CSU Extension office located within the Mesa County Fairgrounds, 2775 US 50, Grand Junction; 970-244-1834. Place insects in a hard sided container. CSU Extension staff will identify the sample for you.
Adult beetles
Immature (larvae)
Immature Japanese beetles (larvae) are white grubs that often form a “C-shape.” There are lots of larvae that look like this, including various native beetle larvae. It is difficult to tell them apart. Professionals identify grubs like Japanese beetle by looking at the patterns of hair on
the hind part of the abdomen.
What To Do:
If you live in Mesa County:
Mesa County and CSU Extension Tri-River Area recommend treating irrigated turf to kill grubs. This is especially important if you live near the area where beetles have already been detected. It is strongly recommended that those within 5-6 miles of this area treat any irrigated turfgrass.
If you live in Grand Junction in the delineated Japanese beetle area:
Mesa County will pay to treat your lawn if you live in or near the hot zone to help eradicate the beetle. Find out more information on treatments at the Mesa County Noxious Weed and Pest website by clicking here.
Treatment Recommendations:
Mesa County and CSU Extension Tri-River Area are recommending insecticides with the active ingredient chlorantraniliprole to manage larvae of Japanese beetle in turfgrass. Insecticides with this active ingredient have long persistence and very low hazard to humans, pets, and bees.
- Scotts® GrubEx® is available for purchase without a pesticide license and may be used on residential lawns
- once per year.
- Acelepryn is a product available only to licensed pesticide applicators.
FOLLOW ALL LABEL INSTRUCTIONS. Mow grass immediately before treating. Apply to dry lawn. Aerating lawns prior will not impact treatment negatively, and it may even help the chemical reach the root zone. Irrigate turf immediately after application to move the product into the soil. Do not over-irrigate, Lawn watering guide.
FAQs on Treatment:
Q: How will treatment affect pollinators?
A: In turfgrass sites that are ONLY grass, there are no flowers that would attract pollinators. In these situations there is essentially no hazard to pollinators no matter what insecticide is used for grub control. However, potential problems can occur if there are flowering plants (dandelions, white clover, etc.) that are attractive to and visited by bees.
In lawn areas where pollinator attractive flowering plants are present, the risk from an insecticide application can be greatly reduced if the lawn is mowed before application, removing the blossoms. No insecticides should ever be applied to any plants that are flowering and attracting pollinating insects.
The type of insecticide being applied also greatly affects the potential risk to pollinators. Chlorantraniliprole, Bacillus thuringiensis var. galleriae, and insect parasitic nematodes are grub treatments that have very little, if any, hazard to pollinators when applied to turfgrass.
(Adapted from Whitney Cranshaw)
Q: What about “drying down” my lawn to kill grubs?
A: Withholding water from turfgrass is an option, but is not recommended. The effect will be limited if we receive rainfall. It also kills the turf. If you have trees in your yard, they will continue to need water out to their dripline, which will limit the areas you can “dry down.”
Q: What about using Milky Spore?
A: Milky Spore is not effective in Colorado. Our climate is too dry.
Q: Can I trap beetles as a non-chemical management option?
A: No. Traps are effective for monitoring, but are not an effective tool to reduce numbers of Japanese beetles.
For detailed information about Japanese beetle and treatment, please see the CSU Extension factsheet on Japanese Beetles 5.601.
Prepared by Mollie Freilicher, Melissa Schreiner, and Melissa Franklin of Colorado State University Extension Tri-River Area. 03/2023
Colorado State University Extension is an equal opportunity provider. | Colorado State University does not discriminate on the basis of disability and is committed to providing reasonable accommodations. | CSU’s Office of Engagement and Extension ensures meaningful access and equal opportunities to participate to individuals whose first language is not English.
Colorado State University Extension es un proveedor que ofrece igualdad de oportunidades. | Colorado State University no discrimina por motivos de discapacidad y se compromete a proporcionar adaptaciones razonables. | Office of Engagement and Extension de CSU garantiza acceso significativo e igualdad de oportunidades para participar a las personas quienes su primer idioma no es el inglés. Col.st/ll0t3
Frequently Asked Questions
- The Japanese Beetle is an invasive insect that causes over $460,000,000 worth of damages per year in eastern states.
- It feeds on over 300 species of desirable plants including grapes, peaches, roses, apples, sweet corn, trees, and turf grass.
- This pest is well established east of the Rocky Mountains which are a natural barrier to their spread.
- It is not established in the western states, and its movement is regulated by state and federal quarantines which prohibit the movement of infested plant materials to unaffected areas.
- When populations are discovered in western states they must be eradicated to prevent further establishment.
Images and detailed information about Japanese Beetle biology can be found on the “identification” page.
- Mesa County has secured initial funding to complete grub control treatments on all irrigated turf in the infested area.
- We will be seeking property owner consent to treat their lawns and eradicate Japanese Beetles in the grub stage.
- We are working with CSU Extension and the Colorado Department of Agriculture to promote awareness and expand opportunities for eradication efforts.
- This will be a multi-year effort.
- Mesa County will work with our partners to expand management options for homeowners.
In short, everyone in Mesa County!
- The Japanese Beetle feeds on a wide variety of plants that improve our lives. The spread of this beetle will affect everybody, whether you're growing 100 acres of peaches or have a small lawn and a rosebush.
- Japanese Beetles will damage or kill irrigated turf in lawns, parks, and golf courses as a grub.
- Property owners will see damage to turf from April-October.
- The adult beetles emerge and feed on many desirable ornamental and agricultural plants throughout the summer months.
- Adult beetles will destroy vegetable gardens, ornamental plants, and trees.
- Fruit growers will experience crop losses and increased production costs due to Japanese Beetle damage.
- We want to eradicate the Japanese Beetle to protect our economy and the quality of life for our residents.
- If this beetle spreads to our fruit growers it will decimate the agricultural production of Mesa County.
- This industry is one of the primary drivers of our economy.
- Such a large impact to fruit and wine production will have secondary effects on our tourism, plant exports, and retail industries.
- Japanese Beetles will impact residents by destroying lawns, gardens, and trees on landscaped properties.
- Additionally, they swarm and feed in groups on desirable plants. In this regard they can be a very unpleasant pest to have on your property.
Please contact Mesa County at 970-902-9336 or jb@mesacounty.us and continue to follow us for updates.
- You can be proactive and complete grub control treatments on your lawn.
- Information about homeowner applied treatments is available in the “Homeowner Resources” section of this page.
- You can also request preventative grub control treatments from a lawn care company.
If you are experiencing damage to turf and ornamental plants this season and find adult Japanese Beetles, please contact CSU extension services to confirm the identification.
- Acelepryn is a reduced risk pesticide that provides long lasting grub control when applied from April-June.
- When it is applied correctly, it is considered safe to use around humans, pets, birds, bees, and other pollinators.
Op-Eds
By Bobbie Daniel
Two weeks ago, I had no idea what kind of damage one little beetle could do, let alone what the name of the Japanese beetle was. However, we now know that this invasive species can cause significant damage to our environment and local economy, which heavily relies on agriculture and agritourism. Thankfully, concerned residents, farmers, and insect experts alerted us to the problem, and we are taking action to eradicate the beetle before it causes severe harm.
I’m sure I’m not alone in expressing our sincere gratitude to those who sounded the alarm so we can protect our local families’ livelihoods and avoid an export ban for our Mesa County agricultural products.
If the beetle is not dealt with properly, it will affect many woven economic layers in the fabric of our community, since this industry affects more than meets the eye. Ag and ag-tourism bring in approximately $80 million annually, not to mention the value of interconnected peripheral sectors.
The Japanese beetle feeds on grapes, peaches, sweet corn, trees, turfgrass, and ornamental plants. If it establishes and goes unchecked, it will cause severe damage to local farms and landscaped properties, and the spread of this beetle will affect everyone.
At a public hearing last week, our Board of County Commissioners declared the Japanese beetle a public nuisance to allow us to quickly secure the products we need to begin eradication efforts in early spring and attract more funding partners. We have an immediate plan of action, and starting in April, we will focus on treating the infested area in the Grand Junction North area by assisting approximately 1,200 property owners from Canyon View Park to Bookcliff Country Club with a chemical called Acelepryn, which is an effective reduced-risk pesticide — a non-toxic insecticide safer than dish soap, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
We can treat this area this spring with the property owner’s consent. With a quick response and cooperation from property owners, we can save money and crops in the long run with a safe and relatively easy remedy. Property owners can sign the consent form at mesacouty.us, treat their lawns with grub control, or dry it down to brown this spring. If nothing is done, the beetle grubs will sadly destroy the lawn, eating the roots and leaving a brown dead lawn before forging on to infect greater areas.
For those outside the infested area who want to be proactive, we recommend applying grub control granules to your lawns this spring to eliminate any Japanese beetle populations before they can spread. Lawn care companies can also include grub treatments in their turf management plans.
We understand that eradicating the Japanese beetle is critical to protecting our local economy and the livelihoods of our residents. We are working with farmers, CSU Extension, the Colorado Agriculture Department, and local government entities to develop long-term strategies for managing this invasive species.
With everyone’s efforts and our community working together, we can save Mesa County from the potentially catastrophic economic impact of the Japanese beetle.
Our historical evidence demonstrates that local initiatives have effectively managed the beetle’s spread. When the Japanese beetle infested Palisade in 2002, an extensive trapping program was implemented in 2003 along with a robust and proactive campaign, resulting in the successful eradication of the pest and the restoration of beetle-free conditions in the region by 2009.
For more information and to sign up for free treatment in the infested area, please visit mesacounty.us, email weed.pest@mesacounty.us, or call 970-255-7121.
Bobbie Daniel is a Mesa County Commissioner representing District 2.
The battle against the Japanese beetle continues
By Bobbie Daniel
Last summer, the north area of Grand Junction in Mesa County faced a major threat from the Japanese beetle, an invasive pest with a voracious appetite for our beloved grapes, peaches, roses and sweet corn. This pest posed a severe risk to our local agricultural and agritourism industries — valued at $80 million annually.
The Japanese beetle is no ordinary foe. Its potential to wreak havoc on our agricultural industry and trigger export bans sent shockwaves through our community, prompting the Board of County Commissioners to take swift and decisive action.
Earlier this year, the board declared the Japanese beetle a public nuisance — a critical step that allowed us to secure the necessary resources for our eradication efforts without delay. In collaboration with our dedicated partners, we were able to identify early hot zones and quickly spray more than 1,200 properties in the north area. With the early season spray, we were able to treat using Acelepryn, a non-toxic, pet and pollinator-friendly, reduced-risk pesticide, on 209 acres of turf, equivalent to 209 football fields. The most recent late-season spray covered more than 427 new lawns and showcased the incredible power of our community coming together to support our farmers.
Along the way, Mesa County has forged strong collaborations with local nurseries, farmers, CSU Extension, the Colorado Department of Agriculture and the City of Grand Junction to develop long-term strategies for managing this invasive species.
Our partnership with CSU Extension and the state has strengthened trapping efforts, providing real-time data for informed decision-making regarding early and late-year spraying operations. This summer alone, the CDA and CSU Extension Citizen Science Program deployed 552 traps, capturing approximately 5,417 Japanese beetles. Residents can view trapping data in real time at mesacounty.us under Japanese Beetle Trap Status.
Our commitment to eradicating the Japanese beetle remains unwavering, and we are working diligently with local nurseries, farmers and local and state partners to ensure this pest does not threaten our community. History has taught us valuable lessons, including right in our own backyard when the Japanese beetle infested Palisade in 2002. Our community rallied behind an extensive trapping and spraying program, which ultimately was successful and rid us of the pest within a decade. Today, we understand the critical importance of eradicating the Japanese beetle to safeguard our local economy and the livelihoods of our residents, and we are also mindful that much work remains as we celebrate these early achievements.
Mesa County is continuing to tackle this problem from multiple angles, with ongoing early and late annual sprays guided by state and CSU Extension data. We anticipate a 25% to 30% reduction in the beetle population each year, with the potential for near-eradication within three to five years. Our entire community can participate in this effort, even if they reside outside the infested area. For a proactive approach, we recommend applying grub control granules to your lawns in the spring. Treating new sod with grub granules will also help eliminate any Japanese beetle populations before they can spread. Lawn care companies can also include grub treatments in their turf management plans.
Mesa County’s battle against the Japanese beetle is a testament to our resilience and commitment to protecting our beautiful environment and our strong economy. Together, we will triumph over this invasive pest and preserve our beloved Mesa County for generations to come.
Bobbie Daniel is a member of the Mesa County Board of Commissioners.
Follow our work
We are working to eradicate this pest
Spraying for the Japanese Beetle Completed in May 2023