Image Credit: Kent Simmonds/CFJC Today

By Victor Kaisar

Japanese Beetle Treatment

Treatment work underway to eradicate Japanese beetles from Kamloops

May 22, 2025 | 1:26 PM

KAMLOOPS — The City of Kamloops has begun treatment work to try and stop the spread of invasive Japanese beetles after 11 were found in Kamloops last year.

Environmental Services Supervisor Danielle Sparks said crews from Bartlett Tree Experts have been tasked with applying larvicide to a 5.5-hectare area near Exhibition Park on River Street. Sparks said the chosen contractor has nearly seven years of experience in managing Japanese beetle infestations in the Lower Mainland.

“We are currently providing treatment with the larvicide Acelepryn to all turfed public lands within the treatment area,” Sparks said, noting treatment work was set to take place on Wednesday and Thursday (May 21 and 22) this week.

“It is safe for humans, pets, wildlife, pollinators, fruits and vegetables and all work was conducted in compliance with provincial and federal regulations.”

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Area around River Street near Exhibition Park slated for Japanese beetle treatment. (Image Credit: City of Kamloops)

Sparks said the B.C. government has also reached out to people who live within the affected area to offer them similar larvicide treatment for free.

“If you are currently working with a landscaper, please coordinate with them to ensure the treatment is carried out during the designated period,” the letter from the Province said. “If you do not have prior arrangements, please watch for a notice from one of our landscape applicator partners [Bartlett Tree Experts], who will be offering this service free of charge.”

Sparks said she hopes a majority of residents and property managers take the province up on its offer, in the hopes to ensure that most of the affected area is treated.

“The province has advised that its best to provide treatment to the most amount of area around the detection zones,” Sparks said. “It is in the best interest to be able to eradicate Japanese beetles that treatment does occur on private residences but it is optional.”

The CFIA will provide routine surveillance between June 15 and Oct. 15 — the flight period of adult Japanese beetles — meaning it could be winter or early next year when Kamloops will find out if more beetles have been detected.

Another larvicide treatment will be required next year, but beyond that, Sparks said treatment work will depend on whether the beetles have been eradicated.

“The CFIA requires us to provide treatment within this area and it needs to happen for at least another year, and if we receive no detections through routine monitoring that is when we would no longer have to treat,” Sparks said.

Earlier this year, city councillors approved $200,000 towards the treatment work that is required in Kamloops.

Sparks said the city has set up a website with information about the Japanese beetle and its response efforts. She’s also asking people to report all Japanese beetle sightings to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

You can find more information on how to differentiate between the Japanese beetle and other similar looking insects here.