With the arrival of warmer weather, public awareness of invasive species becomes crucial. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), these harmful invaders cost the U.S. $40 billion annually in damages to various ecosystems and in efforts for eradication and control.
Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring emphasized the ease with which plant pests, diseases, and noxious weeds can spread. “It only takes one infected plant or piece of firewood to move invasive species into North Dakota,” he stated.
The North Dakota Department of Agriculture (NDDA) is urging citizens to take measures against the movement of these pests. Recommendations include purchasing plants from local, reputable sources that are inspected by NDDA-licensed nurseries. The department also advises buying or collecting firewood near where it will be used or opting for certified, heat-treated firewood. They have partnered with a free service at https://www.firewoodscout.org/ to help locate local firewood sources.
Additional preventative steps involve cleaning hiking boots, waders, boats, trailers, off-road vehicles, and other gear to prevent transporting invasive species to new locations. Any sightings of potential invasive pests should be reported to the NDDA or local extension offices.
For further information on preventing the spread of invasive species, resources are available at hungrypests.com, dontmovefirewood.org, playcleango.org/or www.ndda.nd.gov/firewood.
