HOW DO THEY 

GET HERE?

Although some invasive species can slip into the 

United States naturally via wind or ocean currents, 

it’s uncommon. Most get help from human activities, 

entering our country in cargo, mail, and passenger 

baggage. Agricultural produce, nursery stock, 

cut flowers, and timber can harbor these pests, and

invasive species also hitchhike on containers, crates, 

or pallets.

For more information, visit

Invasive species threaten to devour

our crops, trees, and way of life.

Learn how to leave hungry pests behind.

DID YOU 

KNOW?

The cost of invasive species exceeds 

$1 billion annually. Farmers lose crops, 

prices for produce and goods increase, 

and the quarantines imposed on our 

agricultural exports can be devastating. 

Plus, there are cleanup costs associated 

with eradicating these hungry pests.

Invasive species throw our ecosystem 

off balance. These hungry pests feast on 

and infest our agriculture, damage our 

parks and forests, wreck our gardens, 

push out native species, reduce biological 

diversity, and change wildfire frequency 

and intensity. Some pests can even be 

dangerous to human health.

 “WHAT A

 BEAUTIFUL

STATE YOU LIVE IN.

 I COULD JUST

 EAT IT UP!”

“I’M REALLY 

 NOT THE PUSHY 

TYPE. 

 PEOPLE

 HELP ME

GET AROUND 

 ON THE

THINGS THEY

 MOVE AND 

 PACK.”

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

Issued April 2012

Slightly revised November 2016

Program Aid No. 2113-NC

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
There are many ways you can help stop the spread of 

invasive species, no matter where you live—and that’s 

by preventing their introduction in the first place.

We can fight back against 

these hungry pests and 

keep them from destroying 

our ecosystems, crops, and 

local plant life.

Buy Local, Burn Local. Invasive pests and 

larvae can hide and ride long distances in 

firewood. Don’t give them a free ride to start 

a new infestation—buy firewood where you’ll 

burn it.

Plant Carefully. Buy your plants from a 

reputable source and avoid using invasive 

plant species at all costs.

Do Not Bring or Mail fresh fruits, vegetables, 

or plants into your State or another State 

unless agricultural inspectors have cleared 

them beforehand.

Cooperate with any agricultural quarantine 

restrictions and allow authorized agricultural 

workers access to your property for pest or 

disease surveys.

Keep It Clean. Wash animals, tires, and gear 

between fishing, hunting, or camping trips. 

Clean lawn furniture when moving it from 

one home to another. 

Learn To Identify. If you see signs of an invasive pest 

or disease, write down or take a picture of what you 

see, and then report it to your local USDA Animal and 

Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) office 

(aphis.usda.gov/planthealth/sphd), State agriculture 

department (nationalplantboard.org/member), or local 

master gardener (nifa.usda.gov/LGU-map). 

Speak Up. Declare all agricultural items to customs 

officials when returning from international travel. 

Call USDA to find out what’s allowed:

• (301) 851-2046 for questions about plants

• (301) 851-3300 for questions about animals

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

HOW ARE WE

AFFECTED?

North Carolina ranks fourth in the United States in terms of 

total forested acres with approximately 18.3 million acres, 

or 57 percent of the total land area, covered by forests. 

Our State’s forestland provides great economic value and 

adds immensely to our residents’ quality of life. Our forests 

provide enjoyment to millions of hikers, birders, campers, 

anglers, and other recreational users who contribute 

financially to local economies. 

Invasive insects present a serious threat to our forest 

ecosystems. To keep our forests beautiful and healthy, 

we have to keep invasive pests from spreading and killing 

many ecologically important trees. It is crucial to monitor 

forest health and detect pests early and to take 

preventive measures to reduce the harmful effects of 

invasive insects and plant diseases. Invasive species 

threaten to alter forest ecosystems from the Appalachian 

Mountains to the East Coast, and every North Carolina 

resident should understand the risks and help protect our 

natural resources.

If you believe you have observed an invasive pest in 

our State, please inform the North Carolina Department 

of Agriculture by calling 1-888-206-9333. For further 

information about our programs, please visit: 

www.ncagr.gov/plantindustry.

To learn more about hungry pests and their impacts, visit: 

www.HungryPests.com

We are currently at risk for or infested or infected by 

the following:

“WHAT’S THE 

 BIG DEAL?

 DO I LOOK

INVASIVE?”

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN 

NORTH CAROLINA?

*State-regulated only; not federally regulated

Detected

• Emerald ash borer

• European gypsy moth

• Hemlock wooly adelgid*

• Imported fire ant

• Redbay ambrosia beetle*

• Walnut twig beetle*

At Risk

• Asian longhorned beetle

• European grapevine moth

• False codling moth

• Giant African snail

• Khapra beetle

• Phytophthora ramorum