Mesa County continues Japanese beetle eradication efforts in 2026
The fight against the Japanese beetle is not over — and Mesa County is not letting up.
On Feb. 24, Mesa County Commissioners approved a 2026 contract with WD Yards to continue Japanese beetle eradication efforts.
This one-year contract extends the original agreement approved in 2023 and ensures treatment can begin quickly this spring.
The Japanese beetle was rediscovered in Mesa County in 2022 after previously being eradicated in the early 2000s. Since then, Mesa County’s Natural Resources team and multiple partners across the valley and state have worked aggressively to prevent the invasive pest from spreading.
Japanese beetles threaten:
- Local agriculture
- Home gardens and landscaping
- Public parks and green spaces
If left unchecked, they can cause significant damage to crops, turf and ornamental plants. It affects residents and Mesa County’s agricultural economy.
What the 2026 contract includes:
- WD Yards will apply Acelepryn to all consenting properties identified by Mesa County.
- Treatment will cover up to 325 acres.
- The cost will not exceed $142 per acre.
- The total contract amount will not exceed $300,000
Mesa County staff recommended continuing with WD Yards for two key reasons:
- Cost effectiveness. Pricing remains below other bids received during the 2023 Request for Proposal process.
- Operational efficiency. WD Yards maintains a comprehensive database of consenting parcels. Rebuilding that database with a new contractor would be costly and disruptive.
That database allows the contractor to notify previously consenting property owners and schedule follow-up treatments without requiring county staff to repeat door-to-door outreach each year.
What to expect this year
Property owners within the treatment zone who have previously provided consent will be contacted by WD Yards to schedule the 2026 treatment. Properties that have not provided consent will be contacted by a member of the Mesa County Weed & Pest team beginning in mid-March to discuss obtaining consent or other ways to protect their property.
Early detection and rapid treatment are critical to successful eradication.
How residents can help
Eradication is only possible with strong community participation. Residents can:
- Consent to treatment if their property is identified within a treatment zone
- Report suspected Japanese beetles
- Stay informed about treatment schedules and updates
- Treat their properties if outside the treatment zone
Mesa County remains committed to protecting local agriculture, neighborhoods and green spaces through a coordinated, science-based eradication strategy.
For updates and information on the Japanese beetle eradication, visit mesacounty.us.
