Pest Exclusion, Management and Prevention

The Nevada County Agricultural Commissioner's Office is actively involved in preventing invasive pests from becoming established in our agricultural lands and communities. The Agricultural Commissioner regulates the commercial and private transport of plants into and out of Nevada County.  It is important that commercial operations and private citizens respect California's quarantine laws to prevent the introduction of exotic pests.  In addition, pest and disease information is gathered on a monthly basis by way of insect trapping and environmental monitoring for pest presence and populations.  Nevada County Department of Agriculture works in close cooperation with local production, wholesale, and retail nurseries to maintain high standards required by CDFA for California nursery stock.

Exclusion and Quarantine

The Agricultural Commissioner, in cooperation with CDFA and USDA, works to enforce federal, foreign and domestic plant pest quarantines, as well as California state quarantines, county restrictions and ordinances. Pest exclusion is the cornerstone of pest prevention. In many instances, exclusion is the first, last and only means to keep exotic pests from invading California and Nevada County. 
Quarantine programs serve to facilitate safe trade, monitor the movement of risk material, protect against the introduction of pests, regulate the import and export of plants, and help exporters meet the entry requirements of other countries. In this mandated program, the Agricultural Commissioner and his staff monitor and inspect agricultural commodities for planting or for consumption through County Quarantine Inspections, Quarantine Response, and Phytosanitary Certification.

Detection, Management and Trapping

Pest detection is the second line of defense against exotic pests becoming established. Regulatory actions or eradication projects may be conducted on incipient infestations.  Due to the constant movement of people, products and commercial shipments into the State of California, the risk for new insect pests to become established is very high.  Early detection of these pests is vitally important before they spread to urban or agricultural land.  These pests, once established, can cause much destruction especially in commodities such as fruits and vegetables rendering them inedible.  As a result, food prices can rise and farmers may have to use more pesticides to maintain food quality.  The Nevada County Agriculture Commissioner's Office along with the California Department of Food and Agriculture place hundreds of insect traps throughout the entire county to aid in the early detection and control of these pests.  When feasible, the department works towards the long term biological control of newly introduced pests. 

Export Certification

 
Plant exports may require certification for freedom from insects and disease when shipped to certain states and countries.  The receiving state or country may require certification according to state, federal or local standards.  Contact our office for information on other states' and countries' quarantine regulations.  A summary of states' regulations is viewable on the web site of the National Plant Board.  A look-up database of other countries' quarantine regulations is available here.​