Dear Members and Students,
Due to temperatures remaining above seasonal averages in recent years, the population of the pest Neodiprion sertifer (European pine sawfly) has increased rapidly and significantly in the Middle Anatolia Region, including the forests of our University.
To control Neodiprion sertifer, a pest control application is planned for the Scots pine and black pine trees located within approximately 1,500 hectares of the METU Forest, in the area bounded by Eskişehir Road, 1071 Malazgirt Boulevard, Çamlık Sitesi, Çiğdem Neighborhood, Ankara Science High School, Konya Road, Oran Atatürk Sitesi, Turan Güneş Boulevard, TRT, Oran–Eymir Road, the vicinity of Eymir Lake, Ankara Ring Road, TED Ankara College, Taşpınar Village, Bilkent Bahçe Residences, and Bilkent Road.
The product to be used in this control application is a selective product that has been evaluated by international authorities such as the WHO, FAO, and EPA, is widely used in the control of forest pests, and has been selected for its effectiveness against the target pest. The application will be carried out under appropriate environmental conditions in order to minimize its potential effects on other organisms in nature. Through improvements in forest management in the coming years, the aim is to establish a healthy ecosystem that will eliminate the need for pesticide applications.
The first of the two planned control applications will begin in the evening of Monday, 24 August 2026, taking seasonal conditions and application safety into consideration, and will be completed on Friday, 28 August 2026.
The applications are planned to be carried out particularly after 19:00. The main purpose of conducting the applications during these hours is to reduce the effects of high daytime temperatures and sunlight, increase the effectiveness of the application, and minimize the impact on the daily activities of organisms in nature as much as possible. The works will be carried out under the supervision of the Directorate of Landscaping and Environmental Design, in accordance with the specified technical procedures and principles, with due consideration given to environmental protection.
Regional Distribution of the Pest Control Application
Region 1:
The forest area bounded by A1 Gate, 1071 Malazgirt Boulevard, A4 Gate, Çamlık Sitesi, Çiğdem Neighborhood, Ankara Science High School, Konya Road, Kireç Ocakları, Yalıncak, METU 50th Anniversary Pond, Aviation Barrier, Faculty of Education, and A2 Gate will be treated on 24 August 2026.
Region 2:
The forest area bounded by Aviation Barrier, METU 50th Anniversary Pond, Yalıncak, Kireç Ocakları, Kepekli Bridge, İncek Boulevard, Constitutional Court of the Republic of Türkiye, Justice Academy of Türkiye, Bilkent Bahçe Residences, and Bilkent Road will be treated between 24 and 25 August 2026.
Region 3:
The forest area bounded by Kepekli Bridge, İncek Boulevard, Constitutional Court of the Republic of Türkiye, Justice Academy of Türkiye, Taşpınar Village, TED Ankara College, and Konya Road will be treated between 25 and 26 August 2026.
Region 4:
The forest area bounded by Dikmen Junction, Kepekli Bridge, Turan Güneş Boulevard, and Oran Atatürk Sitesi will be treated on 27 August 2026.
Region 5:
The forest area bounded by Turan Güneş Boulevard, TRT, Oran–Eymir Road, the vicinity of Eymir Lake, Ankara Ring Road, Konya Road, and Kepekli Bridge will be treated between 27 and 28 August 2026.
As indicated on the map attached to this announcement, access to the areas where the applications are being carried out is strictly prohibited, and it is important to follow the instructions of the application teams in order to ensure personal and environmental safety, maintain the effectiveness of the application, and prevent possible effects on organisms in nature.
Throughout the works, utmost care will be taken to protect the natural structure and biodiversity of the METU Forest. The applications will be carried out in a controlled manner, in accordance with technical procedures and principles, with due consideration given to environmental and biological health.
Thank you for your sensitivity and understanding.
Kind regards,
Division of Construction and Maintenance