Prevention is better. Research entomologist William Wallner advises officials in the U.S. and other countries on this issue. This is cheaper and far more effective than to try to detect them when they arrive here. Immediately identify and issue alerts on the highest-risk pests worldwide. Enact laws that will permit the U.S. to sue those responsible for all losses caused by exotic pests.
Penalties now are pitifully small and infrequent.
Without loud and lasting local support, the tough talk in Washington will turn to whimpers as political opposition from powerful international trade interests rears up. This time, we have to mean it. These aliens aren't from Roswell or the X-files, they're for real. Pass resolutions to urge state and federal officials to take effective action. Insist on immediate and long-term research to keep out new exotics, and deal with the ones already here.