They’re here, and
they’re hungry! Invasive species, that is. These Hungry Pests feast on and
infest America’s agriculture, damage our parks and forests, wreck our gardens,
and throw our ecosystem off balance. Since they don’t always have natural
predators, their numbers can become overwhelming if left unchecked. In fact,
the economic impact of invasive species has been estimated to exceed $1 billion
annually in the United States due to lost revenue and clean up costs.
What can you do to
help leave Hungry Pests behind? Prevent their introduction in the first place.
Here are some easy steps:
·
Buy local, burn local. Since pests and larvae can hide and ride long
distances in firewood, buy firewood where you burn it.
·
Plant carefully. Buy garden plants from a reputable source and avoid using invasive
plant species at all costs.
·
Do not bring or mail fresh fruits, vegetables or plants into your state
or another state unless agricultural inspectors have cleared them beforehand.
·
Cooperate with
any agricultural quarantine restrictions and allow authorized agricultural
workers access to your property for pest or disease surveys.
·
Keep it clean. Wash outdoor gear and tires between fishing, hunting or camping trips.
Clean lawn furniture and other outdoor items when moving from one home to
another.
·
Learn to identify. If you see signs of an invasive pest or disease,
write down or take a picture of what you see and then report it at www.HungryPests.com.
·
Speak up.
Declare all agricultural items to customs officials when returning from
international travel. Call USDA to find out what’s allowed: (301) 851-2046 for
plants, (301) 851-3300 for animals. Go to http://www.aphis.usda.gov/travel/ to learn more.
Talk to friends and
neighbors about hungry pests. And for more information, visit www.HungryPests.com.