Awareness helps stop invasive pests

BISMARCK - With warmer weather on the way, it is important for the public to be aware of invasive species. Each year, harmful invasive weeds, plant pests and diseases cost the U.S. $40 billion in losses to cropland, grasslands, woody areas, forests and riparian areas, and expensive eradication and control efforts, according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). <_o3a_p>

"Plant pests, diseases and noxious weeds can be spread a number of ways," said Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring. "It only takes one infected plant or piece of firewood to move invasive species into North Dakota."<_o3a_p>

The North Dakota Department of Agriculture (NDDA) strongly encourages everyone to prevent the movement of plant pests by:<_o3a_p>

• Purchasing plants at a local, reputable nursery, garden center or seed source. The NDDA licenses and inspects nurseries in the state to ensure plants sold are from inspected sources.<_o3a_p>
• Buying or gathering firewood near the place it will be burned or using certified, heat-treated firewood. Don't move firewood. The NDDA has partnered with a free firewood finder to help users find and advertise local firewood at https://www.firewoodscout.org/. <_o3a_p>
• Cleaning hiking boots, waders, boats and trailers, off-road vehicles and other gear to stop invasive species from hitching a ride to a new location.<_o3a_p>
• Reporting any possible invasive pests to the NDDA or your local extension office.<_o3a_p>

Learn more about what you can do by visiting hungrypests.com, dontmovefirewood.org, www.playcleango.org/or www.ndda.nd.gov/firewood for more information.<_o3a_p>