travel. Pests can also “catch a ride” in a package sent 

through the mail. When Hungry Pests slip into our 

country, USDA helps hunt them down. 

THE SPREAD 

Pests multiply and grow quickly in number. They 

then spread to other places. Humans help pests 

move around. For example, when we go 

camping and get close to nature, 

it also means nature can get 

close to us. Pests may try 

to hitchhike a ride home on 

our boots, clothes, or other 

camping gear. 

“I’M REALLY NOT THE 

PUSHY TYPE. PEOPLE 

HELP ME GET AROUND 

ON THE THINGS THEY 

MOVE AND PACK.” 

-VIN VASIVE

STOP THE 

HUNGRY 

PESTS! 

INFORMATIONAL TEXT ARTICLE GRADE LEVEL K-5

Something bad might be hiding in our forests, 

parks, and yards. Hungry Pests are insects and plant 

diseases that come from far away and hide in nature. 

Don’t confuse Hungry Pests for mice or mosquitoes. 

Hungry Pests are insects like the Emerald Ash Borer 

Beetle (EAB) and the gypsy moth. These dangerous 

pests can kill trees if we don’t stop them. Hungry 

Pests can even destroy some of our favorite foods. 

FIGHTING BACK AGAINST 

HUNGRY PESTS 

The team at USDA’s Animal and Plant Health 

Inspection Service works to keep Hungry Pests 

out. Pests can sneak into the country inside or on 

fruits, vegetables, and plants that we buy from 

other countries or that people bring when they 

It’s never too early to think about your 

future. See how the team at the U.S. 

Department of Agriculture (USDA) fights 

back against Hungry Pests. Read this 

article to learn about this important work. 

HUNGRY PESTS IS AN INITIATIVE OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 1 
INFORMATIONAL TEXT ARTICLE GRADE LEVEL K-5

HUNGRY PESTS DETECTIVES: THEIR PROCESS 

USDA ACTS FAST TO STOP THE SPREAD. 

SEE 

A person (like you or me) 

notices signs of a Hungry 

Pest in the garden or at a 

park, on a walk, or while 

camping. 

REPORT 

A person calls or emails 

the local USDA office to 

report what they see. 

COLLECT

A USDA official collects a 

pest sample to figure out 

what kind of pest has been 

found. 

CONFIRM 

USDA scientists identify 

the pest using tests, 

photos from a microscope, 

and sometimes DNA 

analysis. 

ANNOUNCE 

USDA tells local officials 

and the public that a 

pest has been found so 

everyone can help prevent 

the spread. 

HOW YOU CAN HELP 

We can all play a role when it comes to preventing the 

spread of Hungry Pests. USDA teaches people about 

Hungry Pests. Listen for news about Hungry Pests in 

your area and spread the word. Learn what you can do 

to leave Hungry Pests behind. 

Learn more about future careers and jobs at USDA 

by visiting: https://www.usda.gov/our-agency/ 

careers/usda-pathways-programs. 

Did you know? USDA found the Asian Longhorned Beetle (ALB) in Boston with the help of a 

gardener who saw unusual holes on trees and reported what he saw to USDA. That call made 

it possible for USDA to act fast and eliminate the dangerous tree-killing insect. 

People in Vermont made a special 

pancake and maple syrup breakfast 

to thank the people of Massachusetts 

for fighting back against the Asian 

Longhorned Beetle, or ALB for short. 

ALB threatens to destroy maple trees 

used to make maple syrup in Vermont.

A SWEET 

THANK-YOU 

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HUNGRY PESTS IS AN INITIATIVE OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 2