The Hop Lice Crisis in Puyallup
As hop lice decimate the region's vines, farmers scramble for a solution to salvage the failing harvest.
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Farmers in the Puyallup Valley are facing a serious crisis as hop lice continue to spread. E. Meeker & Co. has begun deploying horse-power sprayers across the fields in Kent, yet growers remain deeply divided on the most effective treatment. While some rely on hand-pumped quassia chips and whale oil soap, others are experimenting with commercial preparations like 'quassian,' often with poor results. The infestation is expected to cut production from 2,000 pounds per acre last year to a mere 1,500 pounds this season. The uncertainty has discouraged many farmers from investing in expensive equipment, leading to widespread anxiety about the future of the regional industry.
“Some growers do not seem to appreciate the delicacy of plant life, and may try so many different experiments to save a few dollars that before they know it their hops will be gone, root and vine.”
Agricultural blight and the search for economic survival defined early Washington's landscape. The frantic experimentation with 'miracle' treatments mirrors the ongoing struggles of modern agriculture against pests and climate instability.
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