Pests 1500 Japanese beetles caught in Kloten
The authorities have caught around 1500 Japanese beetles in Kloten. However, the area infested by the pest was limited to the Stighag sports facility.
16.07.2024, 16:07
SDA
As the football pitches were covered with plastic sheeting, countless Japanese beetles would probably not have been able to fly out at flight time, the Zurich Building Department announced on Tuesday.
Trees and bushes in the infested area are being sprayed with insecticide. Insecticide is also being used on the grass verges along the highway in front of the airport.
Private gardens have not yet been affected. However, there is still a ban on watering lawns and green areas. Compost and green waste are not allowed to leave Kloten.
Infestation also in Basel
The pest was discovered in Kloten during the flight season in 2023. It was the first major population north of the Alps. At the beginning of July, it became known that the cantons of Basel-Stadt and Basel-Land were also affected. Among other things, FC Basel was no longer able to use a training pitch.
Last week, the federal government warned of a further spread. The Japanese beetle feeds on over 400 plant species and poses a threat to agriculture, the environment and horticulture.
