Learn strategies to locate and control pests in Minnesota's rural and urban areas.
We have a fourfold approach to pest management: prevention, early detection, rapid response and integrated pest management.
Prevention
Prevention begins with excluding new invasive species from Minnesota. Pest risk assessments are a way to evaluate the chances that a pest will become established in Minnesota. Pest risk assessments help us prioritize those that will be a concern in our state. Education is also important in prevention; such as educating the public on risks of transporting pests in firewood.
Early Detection
Detection surveys help find pests before they become established. We do detection surveys for gypsy moth, emerald ash borer and sirex woodwasp.
Rapid Response
If an invasive pest is detected in Minnesota, we have response plans to quickly determine the extent of the infestation and containing it to limit the spread. Response plans are modeled after the Incident Command System.
Integrated Pest Management
Established plant pests result in significant economic and environmental damage each year in agronomic and horticultural crops as well as in natural and recreational areas. Losses occur from pest damage as well as from costs associated with actions taken to mitigate that damage. Integrated Pest Management is a balanced approach to pest management which incorporates the many aspects of plant health care/crop protection in ways that lessen harmful environmental impacts and protect human health by providing effective management tools for producers, land managers, governmental agencies, schools, communities and home owners. The Noxious & Invasive Weed Unit handles IPM of weeds for the MDA. |
