Pest Exclusion/Quarantine
This program is intended to prevent the introduction and/or spread of those plant pests and diseases that may be detrimental to agricultural crops. Exclusion is the first line of defense against invading exotic pests. If we can keep the pests out of California we won't have to control them. In addition, our Department provides an essential service by certifying shipper's agricultural commodities for compliance with other county, state, and foreign quarantine requirements. This allows our growers products to be shipped throughout the world. Our inspectors are federally certified to perform this type of phytosanitary inspection and certification. We also inspect incoming shipments of household goods and nursery stock for disease, weeds and insect pests (certifying commodity shipments).

Pest Detection

The purpose of this program is to find invading exotic pests that are detrimental to agriculture before they become established. This goal is primarily accomplished through insect trapping and field surveys. Most people have seen the various types of traps we place in fruit trees to detect insect pests that may have entered our state and county. Immediate steps will be taken to delimit the infestation and control or eradication of exotic pest such as Japanese Beetle, Glassy Winged Sharpshooter, Gypsy Moth or Mediterranean Fruit Fly.

Pest Eradication
Exclusion is the first line of defense against invading pests, and Pest Detection the second. Pest Eradication is the program that's begun once a pest has been detected. The goal is to eliminate an exotic pest before it can harm home gardens and agriculture, which would necessitate large-scale control programs and use of pesticides. Serious pests like Japanese Beetle, Glassy Winged Sharpshooter, Gypsy Moth or Mediterranean Fruit are dealt with quickly.

Pest Management
It is the policy of our department to use an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach to address pest problems. IPM makes use of mechanical, cultural, biological (especially beneficial insects) and chemical control techniques. Pest identification, monitoring of pest populations and determining action thresholds are part of this process. We can assist the public and agricultural community in the identification of weed, insect, and vertebrate pests and suggest control options and alternatives. Questions concerning gardening are best handled by the University of California Cooperative Extension.

With the cooperation of growers and other public agencies departmental programs include the control of many invasive weeds. We are actively involved in the release of biological control agents to control Yellow Starthistle and other noxious weeds. The vertebrate pest management program provides assistance and advice on a cooperative basis to growers and public agencies for the control of ground squirrels. Rodenticides for ground squirrel control in an agricultural setting are available for sale to individuals.

Pesticide Use Enforcement
This division is responsible for the enforcement of state regulations as they apply to the safe and effective use of pesticides. This includes the issuance of restricted materials permits, the monitoring of pesticide applications, the auditing of pesticide dealers and advisors and the inspection of government, grower and pest control business equipment and facilities. Our goal is to protect agricultural workers, consumers and the environment from exposure to unsafe levels of pesticides. For additional information on any of the following topics, please contact our office or click on the California Department of Pesticide Regulation Website:

California Restricted Materials:

Pesticide Use Reporting

Licensing and Certification

Structural Pest Control

Continuing Education Requirements

Pest Control Business Registration

Headquarters Inspection Checklist

Employee Training

Disposal of Pesticides and Empty Containers