Survey Continued for 2006

Continuing the survey originally started in 2001, Whatcom County Master Gardeners, and associated volunteers, are beginning the survey again this spring for 2006. In previous years, crane fly populations were not high enough to require pest controls, thereby preventing extraneous applications of pesticides to our local environment, and specifically including the Lake Whatcom watershed area. Since 2001, over 100 lawns have been surveyed and still no crane fly problems.

The survey for this year focuses on the crane fly, and incorporates monitoring for a second potential pest in the Pacific Northwest, called the European Chafer beetle. For more information about this important pest, please click here.

The first training session for this year's survey occured on March 17th, and there will be another training session later in the week of March 20th to 25th. If you are interested in attending, please contact Kristine Schlamp via email or phone at 360-676-6736.

The Survey begins...

The first excursion for this survey takes place on Saturday, March 25th and everyone is invited to attend. Please meet at 12:45 at the WSU Extension Office. No training is required, you can learn onsite and come out and join us if you would like to be part of this important community venture.

To learn more about how the survey is conducted, click here.