The City of Grand Junction, Mesa County and Colorado State University Tri-River Area Extension will collaborate on continued efforts to eradicate Japanese beetles.

Homeowners are encouraged to apply GrubEx to eradicate beetles in the grub stage through May. Anyone using licensed landscapers should request they spray Acelepryn in mid-May.

GrubEx is a human and pet-safe pesticide available at local nurseries and hardware stores. Only licensed landscapers can apply Acelepryn.

Homeowners can reduce habitat for Japanese beetles by reducing how often lawns are watered — letting the first 2 to 3 inches dry out before watering again — and choosing low-water or plants that are unattractive to beetles.

“Colorado is the perfect habitat for these destructive pests, starting with turf and including plants that are attractive food for adult beetles,”  said Rob Davis, a forester with the City of Grand Junction. “During the winter, the larvae dig deeper into the dirt and are protected from the cold and snow. As the weather warms up in the spring, they get closer to the surface and emerge as adult beetles.”

Beetles usually emerge from the end of June through the beginning of September. Females lay eggs in moist turf grass in late August.

Eradication efforts, including spraying and lawn application of pesticides, have proved effective. But they must be widespread to curb the beetle population in all stages.

The larvae live in and damage turfgrass ecosystems, and adults feed on more than 300 types of plants. Beetle populations can spread 1 mile to 5 miles a year, putting local crops, orchards and vineyards at risk for these destructive pests.

Residents are encouraged to monitor their plants and turf for the presence of the Japanese beetles and report any sightings of the pest to the Japanese beetle hotline at (970) 248-7000 or online.