Invading Exotic Pests: What Can Gardeners Do?

When it comes to the spread of non-native plant and animal pests, the world is truly a smaller place. These intruders threaten the environment and cost billions of dollars annually in lost agricultural production. Because they take advantage of new food sources and have no natural enemies, their populations can literally explode almost overnight.

As gardeners, we are the front lines and can provide valuable assistance to federal, state, and local quarantine officials by spotting and reporting unusual plants and animals. Please browse our links for information about these and other unwelcome visitors to California.

For a comprehensive list of invasive species of particular concern in our area, click here to visit our UC IPM Invasive Species page.

Visit these sites for more information on exotic and invasive plants and animals:

California Department of Food and Agriculture Invasive Species Program

Brown Marmorated Stinkbug: Have You Seen Me?
The Sacramento County Cooperative Extension has gathered extensive information on this new and potentially destructive pest.  Learn more at the Sacramento County Master Gardeners website: http://ucanr.edu/sites/sacmg/Insect_problems/Brown_Marmorated_Stink_Bug/

 
Sutter County Department of Agriculture, Pest Detection Program - See photos of some of California's most serious quarantine pests. 

Invasive Pests Home Page (www.hungrypests.com) - The Hungry Pests Coalition, an alliance of agricultural commodity and conservation organizations, has published a highly informative website sponsored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.  See photos and videos of California's most serious invasive and exotic pests, plus the latest information on efforts to eradicate them.

California Invasive Plant Council's "Don't Plant a Pest" Program - Some common landscape plants are highly invasive. Find out which plants cause problems and which are more environmentally-friendly choices for your landscape:
Central Valley - Foothill

PlantRight - You can make wise plant choices that prevent invasive plants from escaping from your own garden.