Not only is planting season getting underway, but invasive species are also on the move this time of year, but there are things you can do to help prevent that. Catherine Bronsky, a plant protection expert with USDA APHIS, says April has been designated Invasive Plant Pest and Disease Awareness Month.

“Invasive insects and plant diseases, what we call Hungry Pests, cause damage to crops, agriculture and our forest trees. They are great natural hitch hikers, so it’s easy for people to accidentally move them to new areas, like you mentioned on outdoor equipment, vehicles, firewood, even backyard fruits and vegetables. So we want to make sure that people are on the lookout for them, and also are able to report them if they see any signs of them.”

Bronsky says these pests are easily transported on vehicles as well as people. She especially warns about the dangers of hitchhiking pests on firewood.

“Do not move untreated firewood, for example, do not bring firewood from your own yard to new areas. The Wood boring pests like Asian Longhorn beetle or the emerald ash borer can hide inside and people can accidentally, unknowingly bring them to new areas. So instead, we recommend you buy heat treated firewood or gather wood on a site where it’s permitted.”

You can find out more and report invasive species at a special USDA website.

“We recommend you visit hungrypests.com. It’s a great website that shows pictures of what these pests and diseases look like. It gives information of where you can look in your own yard and make sure not to spread it to new areas. And it really does make a difference. Americans can do a lot to protect plant health and agriculture nationwide by taking these small steps to look out for them.”