Have you seen them? Meet your new Japanese beetle trappers

Amber Betts
WSDA Communications

If you live in the Grandview area, you have likely seen Washington State Department of Agriculture team members in bright yellow and orange vests around town. Why Grandview? Who are they? What are they doing?

Why Grandview?

A few years ago, WSDA discovered an infestation of Japanese beetle in Grandview and the surrounding areas. That was alarming, because the ramifications to local yards, as well as the implications on agriculture, could be devastating. So, we buckled down and got to work. It started with determining where exactly the infestation was. Our teams went out and set traps to see where the beetles had set up camp.

The team determined the infestation was inside a 49-square-mile grid, in Yakima and Benton counties, centered on the City of Grandview.

This year, we’ve expanded the efforts to include treating properties with the most concentrated area of Japanese beetles, setting traps for the pest, and working on establishing a proposed quarantine to limit the spread of the Japanese beetle population beyond the identified infestation area. Part of that effort included hiring several new trappers to increase the grid we are keeping an eye on.

(L-R) Amanda, Gabe, Drew, Brenda, Fernando. 

Who are they?

Amanda

The team’s supervisor, Amanda was born and raised in the Grandview area. She is looking forward to serving the community in which she lives, and helping save agriculture by ridding the area of this invasive pest.

Gabe

Originally from Florida, Gabe has lived in Washington state for about a year. He was drawn to WSDA and being part of the Japanese beetle eradication efforts because of the ability to benefit the community of Grandview.

Drew

Originally from Oregon, Drew and his family moved to Yakima. He was looking for a summer job while he looks for a job in his field of study, medical sciences. He loves being outside and is looking forward to the summer of Japanese beetle trapping.

Fernando

Fernando knows the importance of agriculture in Washington state. Growing up in the Yakima Valley, Fernando’s father owns a cherry orchard, and he has seen firsthand the type of damage a pest can do. He’s looking forward to being part of the effort to rid the area of this invasive pest.

Brenda

Brenda is looking forward to being part of the eradication and survey effort. She is excited to be part of the effort and to see the beetles firsthand. 

What are they doing?

The Japanese beetle trappers will be going around to each set trap during the “adult flight season” between May and October, checking for catches and recording their findings. There will be more than 2,500 traps set in the area, and each trap will be checked every 10-14 days. If you see the friendly, smiling face of someone wearing a bright yellow vest, please wave, and know they are working hard to get rid of this pest to protect our lawns, roses, and especially, our agriculture.

Old dairies embrace new ideas

Karla Salp
Communications

Dairy cows eating hay in barn

Dungeness Valley Creamery is a family farm that started with 20 cows in 1971. In 1989, it moved to its current location and operated as a traditional dairy. In 2006, the dairy transitioned to producing raw milk*. That, however, was far from the last innovation on the farm. 

Saving energy

Driving by the farm today, a passerby might notice the solar panels on the south-facing side of the barn roof installed to reduce the amount of energy they demand from the grid. While they were at it, they installed an electric car charging station for customer use. In 2017, the farm did an energy audit through USDA’s Natural Resource Conservation Service that identified additional opportunities to reduce energy consumption. That led to converting all-electric motors to variable frequency drives, relocating some walk-in cooler condensers for better efficiency, and the installation of the GEA XeTherm heat recovery system. The XeTherm takes the heat generated from the refrigeration process and passes it through a plate cooler to pre-heat warm water before it goes into the water heater. Combined, these changes are saving over 36,000 kWh each year.

Comfy and clean

Calf napping

The cows on the dairy spend seven months of the year on rotational pasture – eating grass and lounging in fields as long as the weather allows. Once the weather turns, the cows head to the barn for the winter where - when they are not eating, being milked, or getting a scratch from the rotary brush – the cows can rest on “pasture mats.” The mats have a combination of recycled rubber padding and foam and are designed to replicate the comfort of pasture. 

The barn also has a system that flushes the barn to clean it and separate manure liquids from solids. The system cleans each alley in the barn six times per day. They are, of course, cows and relieve themselves whether their alley was just cleaned or not. But the system allows for frequent cleaning – much more often than could be accomplished manually. 

Cleaning doesn’t stop with the barn floor. The farm also has an automatic milk tank and pipeline cleaning system. Sanitation cycles improve consistency and cleanliness and increase employee safety by making sanitation hands-off. They also added a new system that injects a sanitizing solution into the water so to reduce bacteria loads on floors and surfaces in the bottling plant. While sanitation is a priority for any dairy, it is especially so on a raw milk dairy that sells unpasteurized dairy products.

Solar panels on roof of barn

Environmental stewardship

Another change the dairy made was a big investment in installing an above-ground dairy nutrient storage tank. The tank holds nearly 600,000 gallons of liquid manure – going vertical substantially reducing the footprint of the previous in-ground lagoon while also further reducing the risk of contaminating groundwater.

Not alone

Dungeness Valley Creamery is not alone in taking steps to be more sustainable and environmentally conscious. Royal Dairy, for example, is making national news with its innovative management of the manure produced at its dairy near Royal City. This farm, which owner Austin Allred purchased from another dairy farmer, has 6,000 cows. That many cows produce not only a lot of milk but also a lot of something else – manure.

In 2018, Royal Dairy won the U.S. Dairy Sustainability award for what it was doing to manage all of that manure. To the rescue came another animal: worms. The liquid manure from the dairy goes through a screening process to remove the solids. Those solids are composted and used on farms and gardens. The remaining water is spread over pits comprised of a gravel bottom and several feet of wood chips in which countless worms live. Together, the wood chips and worms mimic nature’s natural process of breaking down nutrients and filtering water. The end result? Clean water that is recycled back to the dairy or used for irrigation on the farm.

Raising a glass to sustainability

Washington’s innovative dairies are not limited to remote areas like Sequim and Royal City. Krainick Dairy, for example, is a third-generation dairy that has made sustainability key to its farm and is located right in King County. True to a farmer’s nature, their form of sustainability matches and incorporates their unique situation of being in close proximity to urban areas – namely, the breweries in those urban areas.

Since 2007, the dairy has partnered with local breweries to use spent grain from the brewing process. The grain – which would otherwise end up in a landfill – is hauled to the farm and used as part of the cows’ diet. But the cycle doesn’t end there. The cow manure (are you picking up a theme that this is a big issue for all dairies to manage?) is composted by a state-of-the-art composting machine called the “Bedding Master.” The end product is used for bedding in stalls and the remainder is sold as certified organic compost for gardens.

The Krainicks have also embraced their local community. A favorite is growing and providing a giant pumpkin, which is used at a local festival. The pumpkin is filled with beer and then tapped for all to enjoy. Once again – nothing goes to waste. After the beer is gone and the party is over, the pumpkin returns to the farm for the cows to have the last bite.

These are just three examples of the creative, sustainable efforts for which Washington dairies are known. Learn more about Washington dairies from the Dairy Farmers of Washington. 

 

* Raw milk has not been pasteurized to kill potentially deadly bacteria that may be present. It poses a greater health risk to consumers for this reason. Raw milk sales are only legal in Washington from licensed dairies that are regularly inspected and tested for the presence of harmful bacteria in the milk. Learn more about raw milk and the risks associated with its consumption from the Washington State Department of Health. 

Help detect and prevent Japanese beetle spread

Cassie Cichorz
WSDA Pest Program

The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) is asking the public to help prevent the spread of Japanese beetle.  

Japanese beetle is a non-native pest that feeds on over 300 plants by skeletonizing leaves. Their larvae feed on plant roots below the surface. Japanese beetles can lay many eggs in a cycle, making them difficult to control or eradicate. Japanese beetle would pose a serious threat to farms, gardens, and the environment if they became established in Washington State.

In Grandview, a resident reported picking as many as 75 beetles from her roses in a single day in 2020. WSDA trapped over 24,000 beetles in the same area in 2021. WSDA is conducting an eradication of this pest and is asking residents to respond by reporting, trapping, and providing treatment consent. 

What can you do?

If you are in Washington, you can monitor for this pest by being on the lookout. If you see Japanese beetle, please report it! 

Adults – seen in summer

• 1/3 – ½ inch long
• Metallic green head and thorax
• Copper wing covers

Larvae (grubs) – seen in spring

• 1/8 – 1 inch long
• Brown/tan head with legs
• Found in soil, especially in lawns

Take a picture of the pest, and note the location. Then visit our online reporting form to upload. You can also report by email at PestProgram@agr.wa.gov, or call 1-800-443-6684. 

If you reside in Grandview, you only need to report when trapping for beetles. 

Yakima and Benton County residents

In addition to monitoring and reporting for Japanese beetle, you can trap beetles yourself!

Trapping will catch adult beetles, which can lower their current population, and is another way to control this pest. A wide variety of traps are available for purchase, or you can make one yourself. 

Japanese beetle drop-off container in Grandview

WSDA suggests placing traps from mid-May through mid-October when the adult beetles are active. When placing a trap, remember to keep it on your property. Make sure to check your trap periodically and replace as needed. 

If you capture any beetles, please report them. You can report by leaving the catch at the drop-off location, or sending in a report.

If you live near Grandview, a drop-off cooler has been placed inside Blehyl Co-op at 940 E Wine Country Road. The cooler is located inside the entrance of the store on the left. Please write the trap’s address on your collection.

If you are not near the drop-off location, take a picture of your trap capture and note the trap’s location. Then upload that information to our online reporting form, email PestProgram@agr.wa.gov, or call 1-800-443-6684.

Treatment area residents

If you live in or around the Grandview area, you may be inside the 49-square-mile treatment zone. You can help prevent the spread of Japanese beetles by not moving items on which they can travel and spread. 

Japanese beetle eggs and larvae live in the soil below the surface, so don’t move soil or fill, and leave soil on site. Also if you have any potted or outdoor plants, do not move them.

Adult beetles can travel on waste or debris from yards, gardens, and other horticulture activities. If you landscape or garden, leave your lawn clippings, leaves, weeds, and garden debris in the treatment area. 

Free treatment

Free treatments for Japanese beetle are continuing in the Grandview area. This helps prevent the establishment of this invasive pest. You can give consent to have your property treated by going to agr.wa.gov/beetles. You will need to provide your unique property ID number. If you need help obtaining this, contact us at PestProgram@agr.wa.gov or 1-800-443.6684.

WSDA has hired a contractor to apply the treatment, and our staff will be in the field monitoring the treatment progress. Treatments are relatively fast and you do not need to be home for the process.

Stay connected

WSDA is dedicated to working with the public to provide information on Japanese beetle. WSDA has taken pictures of the pest around the Grandview area, to view images please visit flickr.com/wsdagov.

View the Pest Alert for Japanese beetle. 

• Join the Japanese beetle Facebook group.
• Join the Pest Program email listserv.

Follow WSDA on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter

This summer, "adopt a wasp" to help monitor for Asian giant hornets

Cassie Cichorz
Pest Program

WSDA invites you to help watch for Asian giant hornets (Vespa mandarinia) this summer. Join our new citizen science project to adopt a structure with paper wasp nests and observe the nests weekly from June through October. If you'd like to do even more, WSDA will continue to invite residents to participate in citizen scientist trapping for hornets too.

Over the last two years, residents of Whatcom County have noticed hornets attacking paper wasp nests. In 2021, WSDA tracked a hornet and observed it repeatedly visiting the same paper wasp nest. Each visit lasted five to ten minutes and the hornet removed paper wasp larvae.  

Paper wasps can grow to about ¾ of an inch long and have a well-defined “wasp waist” that makes them easy to identify. Paper wasps are typically not aggressive and do not readily attack people, but they can sting if threatened. They form small colonies and build hanging, open comb nests on building eaves, frames, abandoned cars, or branches of trees and shrubs. Paper wasp nests vary in size and are usually gray to brown in color. They are made up of many exposed cells that are less than an inch deep. Nests typically range from the size of a quarter to as wide as a coffee can lid, but can be larger.

Although we invite anyone in Washington to participate in adopting a paper wasp nest, we are particularly interested in observations from Whatcom, Skagit, Island, San Juan, Snohomish, King, Jefferson, and Clallam counties.

LOCATE

Starting in June, locate nests that you have access to and can monitor through October. Log the nest locations using the Adopt A Paper Wasp Registration Form. After submission, you’ll receive an email confirmation which will include a unique Site ID assigned to your nest location. You will need to save this Site ID to use during weekly check-ins. (Please do not register any sites before June 1.) Click here to access the registration form. When you register, you’ll have the option to sign up for weekly email reminders to check your wasp nests. You can also sign up for weekly text reminders by texting JOIN WASP to 1-800-443-6684.

MONITOR

Each week visit the nests, observe, and report online if any hornet or wasp activity is happening at the nest. WSDA asks you to monitor the nests for at least five minutes during the day once per week, but you can check the nests for as long and often as you would like. 

REPORT

After monitoring you will need to report each of your observations on the Paper Wasp Nest Check-in form. You will also need your Site ID that was received in a confirmation email. Click here to report and access the Check-in form.

However, if you think you spot an Asian giant hornet (it will be significantly larger than the paper wasps), safely take a photo and report it at agr.wa.gov/hornets or by emailing hornets@agr.wa.gov.

Stay Connected

WSDA is dedicated to working with the public and to providing information on Asian giant hornets.

·        Join the Asian giant hornet Facebook group.

·        Join the Pest Program email listserv.

Follow WSDA on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter. 

State veterinarian confirms rabbit hemorrhagic disease in King County

Amber Betts
Communications

The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) state veterinarian’s office has confirmed the presence of Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus type 2 (RHDV2), in a King County rabbit.  RHDV2 is a highly contagious, fatal rabbit disease.

A private veterinarian tested the rabbit, which was housed exclusively indoors, after sudden deaths were reported. The premises is under quarantine and has implemented biosecurity measures.

RHDV2 history in Washington

In 2019, RHDV2 killed hundreds of feral domestic and domestic rabbits in Island and Clallam counties. Before then, the disease was designated as a foreign animal disease (FAD). If FADs are detected, there are a number of restrictions and emergency rules put into effect. Because of that outbreak, the virus is now considered stable-endemic, which means it already exists in the environment. Since the outbreak three years ago, 15 additional states have reported detections in either wild or domestic rabbits. As of April 2022, RHDV2 has been confirmed in wild and domestic rabbits in nearly 20 states nationwide.

Because the disease now exists generally in the environment, there won’t be any additional restrictions or rules set into place with this detection.

Vaccine available

Late last year the state vet’s office authorized the emergency use of a vaccine for RHDV2, which is now available to all Washington veterinarians. The vaccine has been shown to be protective against RHDV2. The vaccine must be administered by a Washington licensed veterinarian.

State Veterinarian Dr. Amber Itle is calling all rabbit owners to ask their veterinarians about the vaccine and to have their rabbits vaccinated as soon as possible. Due to the contagious and extremely infectious nature of this virus, vaccination is critical for disease control to protect our domestic and wild rabbit populations alike.   

“Remember to observe good biosecurity practices in addition to vaccinating your bunnies.  Be sure to isolate new additions for three weeks before commingling them with your colony and avoid contact with domestic and wild rabbits,” she said.

Veterinarians who would like to order the vaccine should contact Medgene labs directly at 605-697-2600.

For more information on RHDV2, biosecurity, and prevention, please visit WSDA’s Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease webpage.