Pests Japanese beetle continues to spread in Basel

The Japanese beetle has spread further in Basel-Stadt. Accordingly, the city gardening department has extended the infestation zone with strict guidelines to a good third of the canton's territory, as the Basel Department of Construction and Transport announced on Friday.

Specifically, watering lawns in Grossbasel Ost, parts of Kleinbasel and the municipalities of Riehen BS and Birsfelden BL is therefore prohibited until the end of September. Japanese beetles have been trapped in these areas. Green material, compost and soil were also only allowed to leave the area under strict conditions.

The measures have been imposed in close consultation with the federal authorities and the neighboring canton of Baselland.

The ban on watering helps to make the soil unattractive for egg-laying. This is because female Japanese beetles prefer moist, grassy areas. However, watering plants in the garden and on balconies remains permitted if no grasses grow in the pots and beds.

The municipal gardening department is once again calling on the public to report any beetle finds. The beetles should be placed in a tightly closed jar or food can and put in the freezer overnight, even if they already appear to be dead.