Washingtonians Asked To Watch For Pests During April

April is invasive plant, pest and disease awareness month, and northwest farmers, and outdoor lovers need to watch out for hungry pests.  Samantha Simon, the Senior Species Coordinator at the USDA, said Americans pick up a lot of these while traveling, both domestically and internationally.  Simon said Washington has only one invasive bug to worry about so far this year, but it's still at high risk because of all of its trade and tourism.

She said there is good news for the Evergreen State.

“In Washington, you have had a detection of the Asian Citrus Psyllid, but that’s the only one.”

With that being said Simon asks all Washingtonians, not just farmers to be careful and cautious.

“Washington is at a high risk for pest introduction because you have a major international port, you have high trade and high travel going on there.”

Simon said you need to be cautious when recreating outdoors, and then returning home.  She said you also need to be careful handling things like firewood and mail.  To learn more, check out HungryPests.com

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