Wood Packaging Initiative

Published 2019:

  • Notice and Report Harmful Hitchhikers poster for warehouse and distribution center environments is now completed! Available here for download in standard paper size (NoticeReport – Natl 85×11) and larger poster format (NoticeReport- Natl11x17). You can order paper version in bulk from USDA APHIS Publications under the name “Notice and Report Harmful Hitchhikers.” Thank you to USDA APHIS for handling the distribution of the printed version.
  • Detecting Invasive Pests in Workplace Environments online training for warehouse and distribution center employees and contractors is now completed! The course is available via the First Detectors Online Training page (please note that you must create a free account to access the course). Successful completion of the one-hour course and associated quiz generates a signed certificate that can be used to self-qualify for Continuing Education Credits or Units. Thank you to FirstDetector.org for allowing this course to be added to their First Detector Modules.

Continental Dialogue Solid Wood Packaging Initiative

The Continental Dialogue’s solid wood packaging initiative works to minimize the establishment of invasive forest pests by educating employees of distribution centers and warehouses. Shipping facilities are hubs where pallets and crates from all over the world are gathered in large quantities. These containers can harbor pests that have escaped treatment, or they can become infested before shipping yet after treatement or inspection. By educating employees who regularly work with wood containers that can transport harmful hitchhikers, we are able to engage a valuable group of detectors in a key setting.

Many thanks to the US Forest Service International Programs for funding this initiative.

We aim to engage this group through two unique channels. First, we have created flexible and simple outreach posters that inform people on what to look for, how to report anything unusual, and how to eliminate pests (see above for links). We have made them available in both digital and pre-printed version, and we hope that many partners will  will be hung in distribution centers. Second, we have developed an e-learning course that is available to any person working in or near facilities- or anyone simply interested in earning continuing education units required to maintain their licenses or certifications (pesticide applicator, certified forester, etc).

These two types of educational outreach materials are a synthesis of the most useful concepts that we identified in a review of relevant existing materials produced by various agencies and governments. A short annotated list of the most relevant reviewed materials is located here as an archive.

List of Reviewed Outreach Materials

Spotted Lanternfly:

USDA Spotted Lanternfly Pest Alert: A two-page fact sheet with a few select images representing key life stages and basic information on background, distribution and spread, damage caused, identification, life cycle, where to look, and general reporting guidelines.

New York State SLF Fact Sheet: Two-page document with pictures of various life stages, info on ID, geographic location, history of infestation, threat posed, mechanisms of spread, signs of infestation, and what to do if you find them (ID, photograph, report). Includes state reporting link and state contact info. Informative and instructional.

Penn State Extension Guide to SLF Management for Homeowners: Four-page document detailing the problem, ID of various life stages, 5-step guide to management (don’t spread, scrape eggs, band trees, remove trees, insecticide), discussion of table showing chemical control options, reporting info. Instructional.

Asian Longhorned Beetle:

Canadian Food Inspection Agency Asian Longhorned Beetle ID Card: Wallet-size card with life-size photos of adult, egg laying site, exit hole, and frass. Reads: “Report ALL sightings” and provides link to government website. ID tool.

USDA Forest Service Asian Longhorned Beetle Pest Alert: Two-page document briefly describing the pest and its origin, preferred tree species, tree removal and chipping, life history, collection instructions, and general direction to contact state officials for reporting. Second page has pictures (mostly signs to look for on trees). Mix of informative and instructional.

Canadian Food Inspection Agency Asian Longhorned Beetle Poster: A poster of captioned photos of signs and symptoms of ALB with a very brief description of adult insects, that they kill trees, a short list of ALB preferred species, pictures of insects easily confused with ALB, reporting hotline and link to more info. Instructional and functional.

New York State Asian Longhorned Beetle Fact Sheet: Two-page document with pictures of various life stages, info on ID, geographic location, history of infestation, threat posed, mechanisms of spread, signs of infestation, and what to do if you find them (ID, photograph, report). Includes state reporting link and state contact info. Informative and instructional.

Spongy Moths:

Plant Health Australia Asian Spongy Moth Fact Sheet: Two-page document with descriptions of ASM, images of different life stages, mechanisms of spread, a reporting hotline, and disclaimer waiving liability for actions taken (or not taken) based on information provided. Preemptive and informative.

New South Wales Asian Spongy Moth Exotic Pest Alert: A more-technical document with descriptions of life stage, life cycle, host range, mechanisms of spread, associated damage, distribution, actions to minimize risk, and reporting info. Preemptive and informative.

USDA Asian Spongy Moth Pest Alert: A text document with three images that provides an overview of the threat, history of detection, description of life cycle, mechanisms of spread, links to learn more, and basic reporting guidelines. Mostly informative, somewhat instructional.

Washington State Lymantriid Invasion Fact Sheet: A document that lumps Spongy Moths, giving broad descriptions of life stages, places to inspect, links to more information, and state-specific reporting hotline and website. General and instructive.

Inspect Before Entry: Asian Spongy Moth: Poster to be displayed in vessels entering ports in Australia, New Zealand, or United States that gives instructions for finding, identifying, removing, and destroying ASM.

  • Published by Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service, US Customs and Border Protection, New Zealand Ministry of Forestry and Agriculture, and USDA, 2012.
  • Archived version: Inspect Before Entry Poster

Asian Spongy Moth Pocket Card: Two-sided pocket-size card aimed at sailors with basic info on ASM, pictures, and reporting instructions.

Emerald Ash Borer:

Emerald Ash Borer: The Green Menace: Text-dense brochure-style document with a few pictures and ample info on EAB background, signs and symptoms, role of humans in spread, quarantine areas, biology and behavior, susceptible species, prevention steps to take, and a list of state reporting hotlines. Informative, instructional, and functional.

Unwanted: Emerald Ash Borer: Visually fetching poster featuring a calendar-referenced illustration of the life cycle, pictures of ash trees, galleries, insects (both EAB and look-a-likes), and reporting info. Little to no background information or instruction; a streamlined identification tool with EAB-specific contact info.

Emerald Ash Borer: How You Can Help: Tri-fold pamphlet with pictures and text giving steps to recognize host trees, identify signs of infestation, and actions to prevent spread and report. Includes links to more info and eight reporting phone numbers depending on state. Informative and instructive.

  • Adapted and reprinted by Massachusetts Forest Pest Taskforce with permission from Sharon Bachman, Cornell Cooperative Extension New York Invasive Species Outreach Program and Western New York Emerald Ash Borer Taskforce. Accessed December 2018.
  • Original location: Emerald Ash Borer: How You Can Help
  • Archived version: Emerald Ash Borer: How You Can Help

Sea Container Outreach:

Sea Container Cleanliness Bulletin: Text document that outlines the threat of transporting invasive species through global shipping lines; focusing on how this can negatively affect business as well as general things to look for during recommended self-inspection and links to more info. Consequential and instructive.

North American Sea Container Initiative Infographic: Text and Image based infographic that recommends practices for international container movement associated with the global supply chain. Presents as matched layperson materials to the more technical resources listed above.

Other Outreach:

IPPC Fact Sheet: Broad and general outreach document introducing invasive pests in a global context, highlighting the consequences they can have on trade and suggesting self-inspection measures to avoid their transport. General, consequential, and instructive.

Australian Government Pest Alert: Do You Have Stowaways on Board?: A document highlighting ten different types of insect pests to look for, each with a few images and very basic info on what to look for. Universal instructions on collection, destruction, and reporting given for all pests listed. Mostly informative.

Crate Invader Poster: Targeted at handlers of SWPM depicting wood and various pests, a brief description of signs to look for, and two reporting phone numbers. Instructive.

  • Published by Illinois Department of Agriculture and USDA, 2014.
  • Archived version: Crate Invader Poster

S.A.F.E.R. Poster: Targeted at handlers of SWPM depicting wood pallets, damage, and Asian longhorned beetle imagery for example. Instructs readers to quarantine and report infested solid wood packaging.

  • Published by Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources, 2012
  • Archived version: SAFER poster