Hungry pests are invasive species that threaten to harm our crops and trees. Left unchecked, they can devastate agriculture, wiping out jobs, putting our food supply at risk, and costing the economy billions. They often spread unnoticed, hitching rides on firewood, plants, or outdoor gear. The good news: Simple, everyday actions can help protect our farms, forests, and native ecosystems.
Together, we can stop hungry pests.
The Threat of Invasive Species
Invasive species are plants, insects, or diseases that are introduced to places where they don’t naturally belong.
Many invasive pests arrive accidentally through global travel, trade, or the movement of plants and materials. Once in a new environment, they can reproduce quickly and outcompete native species for food and habitat. Without natural controls, they can spread rapidly and become difficult to remove.
These pests often spread when people unknowingly move them from one place to another.
Insects and the diseases they carry can hitchhike on firewood, plants, outdoor equipment, shipping materials, and vehicles. Moving items even short distances can introduce pests to new areas where they can cause damage. Understanding how they spread is one of the most important steps in preventing it.
They can cause widespread damage to forests, agriculture, and natural landscapes.
Once established, they can kill trees, damage crops, and disrupt habitats that wildlife depend on. These impacts can spread across large areas, costing communities billions of dollars in damage and control efforts. Preventing their spread is one of the most effective ways to protect our forests and landscapes.
