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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

Preview of the 2025 Japanese Beetle Treatment Zone App

 

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Op-Eds

Clipping of "we can beat this beetle" op-ed by Bobbie Daniel.

 

We can beat this Beetle

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.

Clipping of "The battle against Japanese beetle continues" op-ed by Bobbie Daniel.

 

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

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