How To Stop Them

Do you live for catching flights? Make sure you don't bring home a pest.

Here's how you can do your part to protect our crops and trees:

• Declare all food, live animals, and plant or animal products to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer or agriculture specialist at the first port of entry.
• Research the admissibility of plant and animal products before your trip. Visit our international travelers guides to answer your questions about plants, animals, and plant and animal products.
• Keep in mind that certain foods are restricted in order to protect community health, preserve the environment, and prevent the introduction of devastating pests and diseases to domestic plants and animals.
• If you suspect agricultural smuggling, call APHIS' Smuggling Interdiction and Trade Compliance unit.

Do you love the great outdoors? Just make sure you leave hungry pests behind.

Outdoor enthusiasts share a special responsibility. Getting close to nature also means nature can get close to you. In fact, pests may try to hitch a ride home. A few simple precautions can help protect the places we all love.

• Learn to spot non-native plant infestations and steer clear of them to avoid spreading invasive plant seeds.
• Clean equipment, boots, animals, and gear between trips or, preferably, before leaving an infested area. Make sure to remove all seeds and other plant parts.
• Always use weed-free hay and feed for your animals.
• Don't move firewood. Buy or use firewood that's close to your campsite.
• Report any sightings to your county extension agent or State Plant Health Director. The sooner invasive species are detected, the easier and cheaper it is to control them.

Hunting can inspire a powerful sense of stewardship. Do your part to help prevent the spread of hungry pests.

• Use only native plants for food plots. Native plants provide much better food and cover for wildlife.
• Clean your boots, hunting gear, truck bed, and tires after a hunting trip to make sure you're not spreading seeds, insects, or spores to a new location.
• Don't move firewood. Buy or use firewood that's close to your campsite.
• Learn to identify the invasive species in your area.
• Report any sightings to your county extension agent or State Plant Health Director. The sooner invasive species are detected, the easier and cheaper it is to control them.

Gardeners know nature's balance. Be careful not to tilt the scales with a hungry pest.

A gardener's hand can impact a landscape. And with that ability comes responsibility. Be sure that hungry pests aren't part of your design. Keep your eyes open and know the right things to do.

• Always declare any plant material brought in from traveling abroad.
• Buy your plants and seeds from domestic nurseries or learn how to import them legally to prevent the spread of hungry pests.
• Remove invasive plants from your garden.
• Until you are able to rid your garden of invasive plants, remember to remove and destroy seed heads before they can spread. Also, don't share invasive plants with other gardeners.
• Talk to other gardeners about invasive plants and how you plan to help in the fight against them.
• If you're worried that your garden will lose its luster after removing invasive plants, talk to your local native plant society or exotic pest plant council. These organizations will be able to suggest suitable native replacements.
• Report any sightings to your county extension agent or State Plant Health Director. The sooner invasive species are detected, the easier and cheaper it is to control them.

Birdwatchers are keen observers by nature. Learn how to sharpen your eye to look out for hungry pests.

Use your skills to help stop the spread of hungry pests. Here's how you can be nature's watchdog:

• To avoid spreading seeds of invasive plants, learn to recognize infestations and avoid passing through them.
• Clean equipment, boots, and gear between trips or, preferably, before leaving an infested area. Make sure to remove all seeds and other plant parts.
• Change the water in bird baths often to prevent mosquitoes from breeding.
• Report any sightings to your county extension agent or State Plant Health Director. The sooner invasive species are detected, the easier and cheaper it is to control them.

Ranchers and farmers know exactly what's at risk. We can't let hungry pests win.

America's farm fields and pasturelands are on the line in the fight against hungry pests. Here's what you can do:

• Learn to identify the invasive species in your area.
• Clean your boots, gear, truck bed, tires, and equipment after working a site so you don't spread seeds, insects, or spores to a new location.
• Be sure to control invasive plants along fencerows, ditches, and other areas adjacent to fields.
• Always use weed-free hay and feed for your animals.
• Report any sightings to your county extension agent or State Plant Health Director. The sooner invasive species are detected, the easier and cheaper it is to control them.

Loggers and foresters know our trees are a priceless resource. Help stop the spread of hungry pests.

America’s forests are a natural resource of profound beauty and value. Each species of tree supports jobs, industry, and production. Invasive pests, if left unchecked, can disrupt this balance and damage the forests we rely on. Please help stop the spread.

• Learn to identify the invasive species in your area.
• Control invasive species before the start of harvesting activities, including actions like raking for pine straw. Invasive plants spread quickly after disturbance, so reducing populations ahead of time is the best defense.
• Clean your boots, gear, truck bed, tires, and harvesting equipment after working a site to make sure you're not spreading seeds, insects, or spores to a new location.
• Report any sightings to your county extension agent or State Plant Health Director. The sooner invasive species are detected, the easier and cheaper it is to control them.

Commercial producers are on the front lines in the fight against hungry pests. Keep your eyes open and help protect our country.

From nurseries to vineyards to honey production, commercial agricultural and plant producers are closely connected to the movement of plants and insects. With that proximity comes responsibility. Here’s what you can do:

• Never bring nursery stock, budwood, or bees into the country unless you have a permit from APHIS and follow all permit requirements. Doing so could introduce devastating pests and diseases.
• If you suspect agricultural smuggling, contact APHIS' Smuggling Interdiction and Trade Compliance unit.
• Report any sightings to your county extension agent or State Plant Health Director. The sooner invasive species are detected, the easier and cheaper it is to control them.