Annual pest hunt begins with “no knock” policy

OLYMPIA, Wash. – State officials are beginning to trap for pests in Washington without telling property owners.

The Washington State Department of Agriculture will set thousands of traps statewide as it undertakes it’s annual hunt for pests that threaten the state’s environment and agriculture industry.

State law gives the department authority to trap for pests on private property and this year, due to COVID-19 concerns, WSDA has a “no knock” policy, meaning trappers will place traps without first contacting property owners.

They will place about 300 traps for Asian giant hornets in Whatcom County.