Japanese Beetle Project Continues in SacCounty

The Sacramento County Agricultural Commissioner, in cooperation with the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), is beginning the third year of an eradication program in response to detections of Japanese Beetles (JB) in the Arden-Arcade area, and within the city limits of Rancho Cordova. Affected property owners will be contacted.

The detections were made as part of our coordinated pest prevention system that protects our agriculture and natural resources from non-native invasive species with early detection playing a key role in successfully eradicating an infestation before it can become established.

The JB is of concern due to the ability of both the adults and grubs (the larval stage) to destroy plants here in California. The JB is an invasive species in California and is native to Japan, where it is controlled by natural predators. Adults feed on the foliage and fruits of several hundred species of fruit trees, ornamental trees, shrubs, vines and field and vegetable crops. Among the plants most commonly damaged are apple, pear, cherry, corn, grape, rose and turf grass. Adults leave behind skeletonized leaves and large, irregular holes. The grubs develop in soil, feeding on the roots of various plants and grasses and often destroy turf in lawns, parks, golf courses and pastures.

The good news is that the eradication program in Sacramento County is working. With the cooperation of local residents, businesses, schools and park districts, last year's JB detections were greatly reduced. In 2022, we detected only nine JBs compared to 139 detections in 2021. Seven of these beetles were in Rancho Cordova and only two were in the Arden-Arcade area.

Federal, state and county agricultural officials work year-round, 365 days a year, to prevent, deter, detect, and eliminate the threat of invasive species and diseases that can damage or destroy our agricultural products and natural environment. The efforts are aimed at keeping California's natural environment and food supply plentiful, safe, and pest-free.

Residents with questions about the project may call the Sacramento County Agricultural Commissioner's office at (916) 875-6603 or CDFA's Pest Hotline at (800) 491-1899. Additional informaiton can be found on the CDFA website.