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Division of Agriculture
Division of Agriculture

What you can do to help!

Pests (cartoon) with international no sign

​The best way you can help combat the spread of invasive insects, weeds and plant diseases is by not sending back-yard grown fruit or vegetables through the mail.  The fruits or vegetables may look good on the outside, but damaging insects can lay their eggs inside fruit and vegetables and then hitchhike into California.                                

Together, we can protect California!

McPhail and Jackson fruit fly traps in orange trees
McPhail and Jackson fruit fly traps in orange trees
        Jackson fruit fly trap in an orange tree              McPhail fruit fly trap in an orange tree        
 

The State of California has a pest detection program looking for new introductions of damaging pests. If the California Department of Agriculture asks to place an insect trap in your yard, please help out California and say “Yes!”

It’s important to know the relevant laws, regulations, and quarantines if you plan to ship agricultural products.

  1. For domestic shipments destined for California: You can contact your local agricultural commissioner’s office with questions. For a listing of all the agricultural commissioner offices in the State, visit the California Department of Food and Agriculture links to County Agriculture departments.
  2. If you would like to ship something to another State, you can visit that state’s agriculture website or you can look up their entry requirements at the National Plant Board’s website.
  3. When you travel, please do not bring back any plants, cuttings, fruits or vegetables! View YouTube video from the Beagle Brigade “Don’t Pack a Pest”.
  4. If you want to import agricultural products into the United States, contact USDA.
  5. Teach others about the importance of keeping pests out of California. View links and resources about education and outreach.