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Pest Management

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The county Ag Commissioner is charged with
the responsibility of managing nuisance pests of agriculture and human health. Many of these pests are introduced species that have become established despite our best pest exclusion efforts. If available, programs are established to implement the best integrated pest management practices pertaining to that pest. These methods help to reduce the use of pesticides; distribute biological agents for troublesome pests; coordinate research and educational resources; provide alternative approaches to pest control problems; and assist other agencies in pest monitoring, prevention and control to protect the public’s health.

 

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California's Pest Rating System

California’s Food & Agriculture Code Section 403 requires that, "The department shall prevent the introduction and spread of injurious insect or animal pests, plant diseases, and noxious weeds."

The California Department of Food & Agriculture (CDFA) has developed a pest policy which recognizes that organisms vary as to their potential and actual harm to California’s agriculture and environment. This significance becomes the basis for determining what to do or not do about a particular pest.

CDFA has established an action-oriented pest rating system to serve as a guide for CDFA biologists, ag commissioners, and other interested parties. These ratings are intended to provide information regarding a pest’s environmental, agricultural, and/or biological significance and the action recommended by CDFA to deal with the pest.

CDFA - Plant Health - Pest Ratings and Proposals (ca.gov)

Definitions of rates for Pests of the Agricultural Industry or Environment:

A rating: Scoring high and are not known to occur or under official control in the State of California. Subject to immediate eradication, quarantine and preventative measures.

B rating: Scoring medium to high and which are of limited distribution in the State of California. Subject to eradication, quarantine and preventative measures as suggested by the county Ag commissioner.

C rating: Scoring medium to low and are of common occurrence and generally distributed in California.

D rating: Scores low and is known to be of little or no economic importance to the agricultural industry or environmental detriment, has an extremely low likelihood of invasiveness, is known to be a parasite or predator or pathogen of a pest, or is an otherwise beneficial organism.

Q rating: Scores high and is not known to occur or where their California distribution is unknown and which are otherwise suspected of being economically harmful to the agricultural industry or the environment and which may not be completely identified or for which there is inadequate available scientific information.

CCR 3162 Pest Ratings and Mitigating Actions Regulation (ca.gov)

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For actions needed against suspected invasive weeds in your area, see the Pest Eradication tab.