Pest surveys are also an integral part of control and eradication programs.
In all cases, reliable and accurate pest distribution data provides the basis for sound regulatory decisions. The information may be used for a variety of purposes, including reasons for removing, altering, or even not establishing a quarantine regulation. The unit is responsible for planning, coordinating, and administering the national survey program. The survey unit also plays a lead role in the design of new surveys and is responsible for the refinement of ongoing survey techniques and tools as new methodologies develop. Other areas of work include the development of information systems to collect, organize, and store survey data and mapping of regulated pest distributions.