New regulated area to be established as work underway to curb spread of Japanese beetle in Kamloops

“Regulated areas remain in place until there are two consecutive years with no beetle detections within the boundary.”

Japanese beetle regulated area in Westsyde (Image Credit: City of Kamloops)

Japanese beetle regulated area in downtown Kamloops (Image Credit: City of Kamloops)

Treatment work using the larvicide Acelepryn was done this month to try and limit further spread of Japanese beetles. Sparks noted the city was told to treat three areas – the city centre, centred around Exhibition Park, an area surrounding the Bunker Road Yard Waste Depot and areas in Westsyde.

“After evaluating treatment feasibility, the Bunker Road Yard Waste Depot area will not receive a treatment application,” Sparks wrote, noting about 29 hectares of public land was treated this year.

Specific reasons why this work didn’t go ahead is not clear at this time.

2026 Kamloops city centre treatment area, with public lands highlighted in green (Image Credit: City of Kamloops)

2026 Westsyde treatment areas, with public lands highlighted in green. (Image Credit: City of Kamloops)

The city says the contractor – Bartlett Tree Experts – has also reached out to eligible property owners to offer optional treatment services. Sparks noted private lands within a treatment area are eligible for free treatment, with costs covered by the Province.

Treatment costs last year amounted to $31,700, and Sparks noted it was “much lower than initially anticipated. Treatment work done this month cost $83,000, and future costs will depend on the size of the treatment area, the equipment required, and if work is done by City staff or by contracted staff.

“City staff will continue to work closely with the multi-agency Japanese Beetle Response Group throughout the response process to stay informed and help mitigate challenges associated with the establishment of a regulated area in Kamloops,” Sparks added.

On its website, the Invasive Species Council of B.C says the adult Japanese beetle is about one centimetre long, with rounded oval shape and a hard shiny green exoskeleton and brown wing covers. Its best defining characteristic is the six tufts of white hairs on either side of the abdomen as no other beetle in BC has this pattern.

People are also being urged to report all Japanese beetle sightings to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). The City of Kamloops has also set up a website with information and tips on how to prevent the spread of the insect.

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

by Victor Kaisar

New regulated area to be established as work underway to curb spread of Japanese beetle in Kamloops

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