Area around River Street near Exhibition Park impacted by Japanese beetles. (Image Credit: City of Kamloops)

By Victor Kaisar

Japanese Beetles

Users of Exhibition Park in Kamloops urged to avoid unintentional spread after Japanese beetle treatment work

Jun 9, 2025 | 5:05 PM

KAMLOOPS — The City of Kamloops is asking people to ensure they’re still being careful in the area near Exhibition Park — which includes Charles Anderson Stadium and the Kamloops Rugby Club — where a Japanese beetle infestation was discovered last year.

Environmental Services Supervisor Danielle Sparks says while some treatment work was done last month people should take precautions so that they don’t inadvertently spread these beetles to other parts of Kamloops.

“Just shaking out your gear, your equipment, looking at your shoes and your clothes to see if there are any hitchhikers,” Sparks said. “The beetles are hitchhikers. That’s how they move around.”

The treatment work was needed after 11 Japanese beetles were found in Kamloops last year. Sparks said the work involved the use of a larvicide called Acelepryn to a 5.5-hectare area near Exhibition Park.

“The province has advised that its best to provide treatment to the most amount of area around the detection zones,” Sparks said of the work that was done on public lands, noting the province has reached out to area residents to offer them similar treatment for free.

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“It is in the best interest to be able to eradicate Japanese beetles that treatment does occur on private residences but it is optional.”

In a report, Sparks said the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is in the process of establishing a “regulated area” around Exhibition Park, much like what’s been done in areas of the Lower Mainland where Japanese beetles have been detected.

Sparks is expected to have a verbal update on the status of the regulated area at Tuesday’s (June 10) City Council meeting. Once its set up, a CFIA movement certificate will be required in order to move regulated articles like plants, soil and turf out of the area.

“Staff continue to work collaboratively to identify key areas of the city’s operations and services that establishing a regulated area in Kamloops will impact,” Sparks said, in a report. “Standard operating procedures are being developed to guide internal staff on best management practices.”

“City staff have also been participating in a multi-agency Japanese beetle response group, which has provided valuable lessons from Lower Mainland cities that have been facing regulated areas since 2018.”

The city is also expected to release a “comprehensive” communications plan that will focus on the identification and reporting of Japanese beetles, potential environmental and economic impacts, treatment details and movement control measures.

Sparks also said the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) provides routine surveillance between June 15 and Oct. 15, 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 as restrictions in the regulated area will only be eased if there are two consecutive years where no Japanese beetles are detected.

Earlier this year, city councillors approved adding $200,000 to the 2025 operating budget for treatment work, and Sparks said the city is confident that amount will be sufficient to support response efforts locally.

“[We] will report back to council in the first quarter of 2026 with the estimated annual cost for response efforts in 2026 and beyond,” she said.

While all Japanese beetle sightings should be reported to the CFIA, Sparks noted the City of Kamloops has also set up a website with information and tips on how to prevent the spread of the insect.