Pest Exclusion

The Shasta County Department of Agriculture protects our local agricultural industry and environment from invasion by exotic pests by maintaining an extensive Pest Exclusion Program as a first line of defense. Despite rigorous regulations and best practices, non-native insects, weeds and plant pathogens are regularly transported into California. Exotic pests may flourish in new environments if imported without their natural enemies. Pest Exclusion operates under the belief that it is more cost effective and better for native plants and animals to keep exotic pests out of Shasta County than to attempt to control or eradicate them after they are introduced.

Incoming commercial and private shipments of agricultural products and plant material are inspected for compliance with quarantine regulations. Investigators routinely intercept exotic pests during daily inspections at shipping facilities such as the United States Post Office, Federal Express, and United Parcel Service, Inspections and surveys of material coming into local nurseries, aquatic plant stores and specialty markets prevent exotic pests from escaping into the environment, and save taxpayers the burden of eradication costs, quarantine sanctions, and wildland rehabilitation.

Some of our duties include:

• Inspecting incoming plant material from quarantined areas for pests and diseases at nurseries and growing grounds.
• Regular inspections at shipping and receiving facilities such as Fed Ex and the U S Postal Service.
• Examining incoming seed shipments for noxious weed seeds and pests.
• Inspecting outdoor household articles, such as lawn furniture, from Gypsy Moth infested areas.
• Periodic inspections of craft stores and specialty markets for prohibited items, and pet stores for exotic species.
• Inspection of bee colonies returning from Imported Red Fire Ant infested areas.
• Inspecting fruits and vegetables entering Shasta County from out of state.
• Checking hay and animal feed for weeds, insect pests, and pathogens.

You can help by:

• Watching for the green and white "PASSED - CALIFORNIA AGRICULTURE" stickers on any plant shipments you receive from out of the county. Notify our office at (530) 224-4949 of any plant shipments you receive that have not been inspected.
• Calling our office if you suspect exotic aquatic weeds such as South American Sponge plant are growing in ponds in your area.
• Watching for unusual and exotic species of plants or weeds with rampant growth that you have not noticed before.
• Notifying our office if you notice insects emerging from shipments of plant material brought in from out of state.

Pest Exclusion FAQs

Is it legal to bring plants from other areas of the state or country into Shasta County to plant as ornamentals or agricultural crops?

Any plant and most unprocessed plant products from outside of California are required to be inspected upon arrival for proper certification against quarantined pests and for freedom from live pests. Please contact our office prior to transport.