More lawn damage from European chafer beetles — and the critters that eat them — is expected in 2016 as a result of last summer’s drought, according to a Coquitlam staff report.
Sprinkling restrictions across Metro Vancouver last summer made it impossible for residents to apply nematodes, a chafer beetle treatment that requires a well-watered lawn.
“As a result, local experts predict that chafer damage will be more extensive in 2016,” said a city staff report on its water shortage response plan that was unanimously approved by council Monday night. “Currently, parks staff are conducting lawn-alternative trials by planting a variety of chafer-resistant and drought-tolerant plants.”
Staff noted in the document that they will continue to work with their counterparts in Port Moody and Port Coquitlam to battle the chafer beetle.
The report stated that 193 warnings and 208 tickets were issued when last summer’s sprinkling restrictions were in place and the city clocked 33,000 visits to its water conservation web page.
And it’s looking like water restrictions could come early this summer.
Metro Vancouver has stated it will expand the period for Stage 1 restrictions from the current June 1 to Sept. 30 to May 15 to Oct. 15.
“This may prolong reservoir levels and decrease the need to escalate to Stage 2 or 3 [restrictions],” according to Coquitlam city staff.
@gmckennaTC
