Dear Members and Students,

Due to the exceptionally high temperatures in September 2024, the population of Diprion pini L. (Pine Sawfly), a forest pest, has increased rapidly and unexpectedly in our university forest, as has been the case across the Central Anatolia Region. In order to combat this, pest control operations will be carried out on approximately 1,500 hectares of the university forest, covering Scots pine and black pine trees located between the Eskişehir Road, 1071 Malazgirt Boulevard, Çamlık Sitesi, Çiğdem Mahallesi, Ankara Fen High School, Konya Road, Oran Atatürk Sitesi, Turan Güneş Boulevard, TRT, Oran-Eymir Road, Eymir Lake Area, Ankara Ring Road, TED Ankara College, Taşpınar Village, Bilkent Bahçe Residences, and Bilkent Road.

The product to be used in this operation is a selective pesticide, approved by international authorities such as the WHO, FAO, and EPA. It is the most widely used product globally for forest pest control and is completely harmless to other living organisms.

The pest control will be conducted in four phases, with the first application starting on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, in line with seasonal conditions, and concluding on Wednesday, June 18, 2025.

Application Zones and Schedule:

Zone 1: Forested area between A1 Entrance Gate, 1071 Malazgirt Boulevard, A4 Entrance Gate, Çamlık Sitesi, Çiğdem Mahallesi, Ankara Fen High School, Konya Road, Lime Kilns, Yalıncak, METU 50th Year Pond, Aviation Barrier, Faculty of Education, and A2 Entrance Gate. Application dates: June 10–12, 2025

Zone 2: Forested area between Aviation Barrier, METU 50th Year Pond, Yalıncak, Lime Kilns, Kepekli Bridge, İncek Boulevard, Constitutional Court, Turkish Justice Academy, Bilkent Bahçe Residences, and Bilkent Road. Application dates: June 14–15, 2025

Zone 3: Forested area between Kepekli Bridge, İncek Boulevard, Constitutional Court, Turkish Justice Academy, Taşpınar Village, TED Ankara College, and Konya Road. Application date: June 13, 2025

Zone 4: Forested area between Dikmen Junction, Kepekli Bridge, Turan Güneş Boulevard, and Oran Atatürk Sitesi. Application date: June 13, 2025

Zone 5: Forested area between Turan Güneş Boulevard, TRT, Oran-Eymir Road, Eymir Lake Area, Ankara Ring Road, Konya Road, and Kepekli Bridge. Application dates: June 16–17, 2025

As indicated in the map, all the pest control operations will be carried out under the supervision of the Office of Forestation and Landscape Planning. For safety and occupational health reasons, entry into these areas during the operation period is strictly prohibited.

Kind regards,

Division of Construction and Maintenance