Gov. Polis reminds residents about Japanese beetles 'problem'

DENVER (KDVR) -- Colorado Gov. Jared Polis reminded residents on Saturday about the presence of Japanese beetles, calling the insect first introduced to Colorado in the early 1990s "a problem."

Japanese beetles, which are considered an invasive pest, were introduced into the eastern United States more than 100 years ago before moving west by way of nursery stock sold in trade and on its own from plant to plant.

The invasive pests have known infested areas in the Front Range and were discovered in Mesa County in the summer of 2022, according to the state, which said it works to educate homeowners in the Grand Junction area about the detection of the Japanese beetles and how to set up traps.

The state warns that precautions must be taken to keep Japanese beetles from further spreading int