EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — El Paso County will be distributing pesticides to those affected by the red flour beetle this Friday, Oct. 25, the County and the City of Socorro said in a press release on Wednesday, Oct. 23.
Both El Paso County and the City of Socorro are working to resolve the red flour beetle problem as both Socorro and Lower Valley residents are experiencing infestation.
As we have previously reported, the El Paso County Commissioners Court unanimously approved $25,000 on Monday, Oct. 21, in funding to help residents deal with the red flour beetles in the City of Socorro and surrounding areas such as the Lower Valley.
County officials said the money will be used to buy pesticides that will be distributed to the Socorro and Lower Valley communities.
The pesticides will be distributed from 4 p.m. through 7 p.m. this Friday, Oct. 25, and 9 a.m. through 12 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 26, at the Ysleta Annex located at 921 Socorro Road.
The County says only one pesticide per person will be distributed and the pesticide will come with instructions for use which needs to be followed.
The County says El Paso Water will begin transporting pecan shells from properties in the Lower Valley to the County landfill on Monday, Oct. 28.
“As a result, residents may experience a temporary surge of beetles during this time and are encouraged to take precautions to prepare for this surge,” the County said.
The City of Socorro also says the removal of pecan shells will begin on Monday, Oct. 28, and is planning for another round of food distribution for its residents in the near future. The date and time are yet to be determined.
The City of Socorro is also developing an ordinance that would establish standards for the use of pecan shells that are used for ground cover or landscaping.
The City of Socorro also says that it’s working with state and county elected officials, the Texas Department of Agriculture, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, and El Paso Water to remove pecan shells located on the property on Socorro Road to eliminate the red beetle’s food source.
For those that have pecan shells for ground cover or landscaping on their property and are being affected by the red flour beetle, call the City of Socorro at 915-858-2915.
For further information on the insecticide distribution, contact the office of District 3 County Commissioner Iliana Holguin at 915-546-2144 or by email at commissioner3@epcounty.com.
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