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Palisade Free of Japanese Beetles for 4 Years

by KREX News Room
by Jordan Sherman

Story Created: Sep 25, 2012 at 5:57 PM MDT

Story Updated: Sep 26, 2012 at 7:15 AM MDT

PALISADE, Colo.- Mesa County officials announced Tuesday that the town of Palisade has been free of Japanese beetles for four consecutive years.

Mesa County Weed and Pest control made the announcement.

The beetle was discovered in Palisade in 2002.

Since then Mesa County officials have been working with the town of Palisade and its residents to eradicate the insect.

Officials worked to kill the insect underground by treating lawns with pesticide.

This has local farmers breathing a sigh of relief.

"I'm not sure a horde of locusts isn't a bad analogy, because what is left after they go through is pretty similar," said Bruce Talbot, produce manager for the Talbot Farms.

Talbot says the insect loves to feed on grapes and peaches, which grows in abundance in Palisade.

Mesa County Weed and Pest laid out 100 traps this year in an attempt to lure the destructive bug.

As a result of their success, they only plan on using 50 traps throughout the area in 2013.

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