Government has hired a landscaping company to launch an attack on an invasive pest in the St. John’s metro region.

The Japanese beetle, which can spread quickly, has been detected in the region over the past couple of years. The Department of Forestry and Agriculture says the insect poses a serious threat to agriculture, horticulture, landscaping and forestry industries, and may result in damage to lawns, sports fields and golf courses. Known to feed on more than 300 plant species, it has no natural predators.

Larvicide treatments begin today in the area of Government House, the War Memorial, the Bannerman Park area, Bowring Park, and others where the beetle has been spotted.

The department says homeowners, landowner, and property managers in those areas will be contacted to discuss how they can help in eradicating the invasive pest.

Signage will be placed on the treatment sites indicating re-entry times.