Link: http://www.embarkservices.com/blog/blogs/

On August 2, 2010, The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) named August as “Invasive Plant Pest and Disease Awareness Month.” The goal of the APHIS is to increase understanding in the harm that invasive plant pests and diseases can cause to natural resources and agriculture.

APHIS Administrator Cindy Smith reported, “Preventing foreign pests and diseases from entering the United States is my agency’s number one priority. These destructive pests can jeopardize the livelihood of our farmers, ranchers and foresters, and they can forever alter our natural landscape. We’re dedicating the month of August to raising public awareness about these threats, and we’re asking every American who can to help us fight invasive pests.”

The potential for these potentially harmful organisms to enter the country are present in arriving cargo on foreign ships and through Americans returning home from foreign travel. Such pests and diseases have been found to impact the economy by $1 billion annually. Such pests spread rapidly and through invading native species, and reducing the biological diversity of plants and trees. Certain invasive plant and tree pests have been to be harmful enough to kill plants and trees.

Here are some tips from the APHIS on keeping your area invasive plant pest and disease free:

Living Plants and Fruit – Invasive pests can be easily transported through live plants and fruit. Be sure to keep foreign plants and fruit separate from your landscape until inspected by a pest professional.

Firewood – Keep firewood local. Many pests can be transported through firewood, wood packing materials, and lumber. If the long range transport of these materials is avoided, the spread of invasive pests will decrease.

Clean Equipment – If you like to hike, camp, or if you work in forestry, you can help decrease the spread of invasive pests through cleaning your equipment, boots, and gear before returning home.

Protecting your landscape from invasive plant pests and disease can be easy with the right information. If you notice a strange decline in the health of your plants call an Embark Pest Specialist right away so that we may help in the fight against invasive pests.