Nonchemical CRB Management

Manage breeding material

CRB Response identifies heat treatment and chipping of suitable whole material as physical treatment options. Chipping leaves material that can be reinfested. Heat treatment requires the relevant temperature and exposure throughout the material; cool edges and later reinfestation matter.

Its guidance distinguishes treatments intended to kill CRB from measures that may only slow growth or reduce access. Thin spreading, turning, and a tarp are not interchangeable with a validated kill treatment. In particular, spreading material thinly is not a treatment if the material stays moist.

Work with an experienced operator to select a process appropriate to the material and site. Record the actual process used rather than simply labeling a pile treated.

Protect accessible palms with maintained netting

UH Cooperative Extension describes monofilament netting as a physical tool for accessible palms. Effective placement covers feeding access points, leaves the net loose enough to entangle beetles, and requires adjustment at least monthly as the palm grows. Its guide distinguishes measured square openings from other net measurements.

Netting is a maintained intervention, not a permanent installation. Before installing it, assign responsibility for inspection, repair, wildlife checks, and eventual removal. Use trained help where crown access presents a fall hazard.

Protect other living things

Hawaiʻi Act 103, approved June 5, 2026, addresses fine mesh and monofilament nets for plant protection and requires Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity rulemaking. The amended law includes safeguards against entangling birds and beneficial animals or losing nets into water. Confirm applicable specifications with the department or an established distribution program.

Understand what remains uncertain

CRB Response states that it has not tested sand applied to palm crowns in the field. This website therefore does not present crown sand as a proven solution. The UH netting guide also describes a mulch-pile trial disrupted during observation; it does not establish that netting alone eradicates a pile’s population.

For a proposed method, ask what was measured, over what period, under which conditions, and against what comparison. Photographs of captured beetles can document capture; they do not by themselves establish reduced damage or lasting population suppression.