Burrowing Shrimp dig into the sand and make tunnels underground. In doing so they kick up about a handful of sand up to the surface everyday, and bury clams and oysters. 

That’s a problem for shellfish farmers. Researchers at the University of Washington found a new way to get rid of the pests with the help of concrete vibrators. 

Guests: 
Jennifer Ruesink, a biology professor at the University of Washington and the senior author of a recent paper on the technique. 


Ken Wiegardt, a 5th generation oyster grower with Jolly Roger Oysters in Willapa Bay. 

Links: 

A new method could help Washington shellfish farmers control a pesky shrimp - UW News 

Immobilization of Burrowing Shrimp (Neotrypaea californiensis) by Vibrocompaction as a Pest Control Strategy for Shellfish Farms -  Journal of Shellfish Research

Shellfish growers’ request to use neonicotinoid pesticide too risky for Washington’s environment - Department of Ecology of Washington State 

Jennifer L. Ruesink - University of Washington 

Burrowing Shrimp dig into the sand and make tunnels underground. In doing so they kick up about a handful of sand up to the surface everyday, and bury clams and oysters.&nbsp;
That&rsquo;s a problem for shellfish farmers. Researchers at the University of Washington found a new way to get rid of the pests with the help of concrete vibrators.&nbsp;
Guests:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Jennifer Ruesink,&nbsp;a biology professor at the University of Washington and the senior author of a recent paper on the technique.&nbsp;</li>
<li>
Ken Wiegardt, a 5th generation oyster grower with Jolly Roger Oysters in Willapa Bay.&nbsp;
</li>
</ul>
Links:&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.washington.edu/news/2026/05/14/a-new-method-could-help-washington-shellfish-farmers-control-a-pesky-shrimp/">A new method could help Washington shellfish farmers control a pesky shrimp</a> - UW News&nbsp;
<a href="https://bioone.org/journals/journal-of-shellfish-research/volume-45/issue-1/035.045.0116/Immobilization-of-Burrowing-Shrimp-Neotrypaea-californiensis-by-Vibrocompaction-as-a/10.2983/035.045.0116.full">Immobilization of Burrowing Shrimp (Neotrypaea californiensis) by Vibrocompaction as a Pest Control Strategy for Shellfish Farms </a>- &nbsp;Journal of Shellfish Research
<a href="https://ecology.wa.gov/about-us/who-we-are/news/2018/apr09-request-to-use-imidacloprid-pesticide-denied">Shellfish growers&rsquo; request to use neonicotinoid pesticide too risky for Washington&rsquo;s environment</a> - Department of Ecology of Washington State&nbsp;
<a href="https://biology.washington.edu/people/jennifer-l-ruesink">Jennifer L. Ruesink</a> - University of Washington&nbsp;

Soundside

University of Washington researchers use concrete vibrators to get rid of problematic burrowing shrimp that are haunting the shellfish industry