The Shadow
Richmond, Va. (VR) – April is Invasive Plant Pest and Disease Awareness Month, and the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) asks the public to help reduce the threats that invasive pests and plants pose to the Commonwealth’s agricultural and natural resources.
Non-native plants and destructive insects can seriously threaten Virginia native species, crops, and forests across the state. These invasive species can grow and spread rapidly, often because they have no natural predators in their new environment and can out-compete native species. Once established, they can cause tremendous harm to the environment, economy, and even human health.
VDACS’ Office of Plant Industry Services (OPIS) ensures compliance with plant protection laws and regulations in the Commonwealth, and provides inspection, certification, survey, mitigation, and prevention services. OPIS monitors and combats the presence of a wide range of invasive pests, plants, and plant diseases like Spotted Lanternfly, Spongy Moth, Imported Fire Ants, Cogon Grass, Beach Vitex, Two-Horned Trapa, Vascular Streak Dieback, and many more.
The public can take steps to help prevent the introduction or spread of infestations in the Commonwealth. The following are a few simple steps to avoid and stop the spread of invasive species:
- Don’t move firewood over long distances, as it can be a carrier of invasive insects and diseases. Use firewood that originates from the area where it will be burned. Spotted Lanternfly and Spongy Moth eggs can hitch a ride on firewood and start infestations in new areas.
- Before leaving a work or recreational site, look for and remove any insects, seeds and other plant parts that might be attached to your equipment, boots, gear, and vehicle.
- Select plants that are not invasive for your landscaping and gardening projects. Your local nursery or Virginia Cooperative Extension master gardener can tell you about the wide variety of beautiful native plants that thrive in your local environment, available at local nurseries and garden centers.
- Don’t plant seeds of invasive plants in wildlife food plots.
- Always declare any plant material brought into the United States when returning from a trip abroad.
- If you believe you’ve detected an invasive species, use VDACS’ Invasive Species Reporting Tool to document your finding.
You can find more information on invasive plants, pests, and diseases on the VDACS Office of Plant Industry Services webpage or through the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
