Q: Can I buy plants from a nursery in another county and bring them into San Luis Obispo County?
A: If the plants meet the various quarantine requirements within California. Also depending on the origin, the plants must be accompanied by a Blue Hold Tag, a compliance stamp, or a certificate of quarantine compliance.
Q: Why do plants need to be inspected again in San Luis Obispo County if they have already been inspected at their origin?
A: It is at the discretion of the Agricultural Commissioner whether or not a plant shipment is re-inspected as it enters San Luis Obispo County. In order to further protect our county’s agriculture, the San Luis Obispo Agricultural Commissioner’s office inspects all shipments posing a risk of infestation as well as those required by regulation. We do find infested shipments periodically and by choosing to inspect or profile all incoming shipments, the risk of infestation within our county is reduced.
Q: How do I send plants or fruit to another state?
A:Every state has unique quarantine requirements for incoming plant material from California. To see state regulations click here. For shipment compliance please call our office.
Q:How do I import plants from another country?
A:All plants imported from other countries must be approved and inspected by the USDA. Select this link for import information
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Q: Do inspectors ever find Glassy-winged Sharpshooter?
A: Yes. Some of the incoming shipments inspected have been infested. If a shipment is infested, it is rejected and returned to the place of origin.
Q: What does a GWSS look like?
A: Click on the following link for information on the origin, lifecycle and photos of the Glassy-winged Sharpshooter. http://www.padil.gov.au/viewPest.aspx?id=173
Q: I think I've seen a glassy-winged sharpshooter. What do I do ?
A: Try to collect a sample and bring it in to the closest Ag. Commissioner's Office. If you are unable to collect/or bring in a sample, call the nearest office and we will send someone to your location.
Q: Which counties in California are infested with the Glassy-winged Sharpshooter?
A: Currently (10/05), the counties in California that are considered infested are Riverside, San Diego, Orange, San Bernardino, Ventura, and Los Angeles counties. Tulare, Kern, Santa Barbara, Fresno, Santa Clara, Sacramento, Solano, and Butte counties are considered partially infested. Visit http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/pdcp/map_index.html# to view an updated map of this information.
Q: What is a bee swarm?
A: A bee swarm is an event that happens every year in just about all beehives. In the early spring of each year, honeybees produce new queens. Once the new queens have been produced, the old queen leaves the hive taking with her a portion of the hive’s population. This group of worker bees and drones the old queen takes with her is a known as a swarm. The swarm will set out in search of a suitable location to start a new hive. During the search the group may land and form a mass while a few of the bees continue to search for a suitable location. This mass of bees may stay in an area for up to a few days before moving on.
Q: What do I do if I see a swarm?
A : If you see a swarm, leave it alone. The bees most likely will move on in a day or two once their scout bees have found a suitable location to build a hive. If the swarm does not move on and begins building a hive on your property, you can call a licensed pest control company to have it removed. Refer to the telephone directory for a listing of pest control companies.
Q: What do I do if I am being stung?
Run in a straight line, cover your head and seek shelter in the closest possible place.
Remove the stingers as soon as possible by scraping them of with your fingernail or a credit card. Do not attempt to pull the stinger with tweezers or your fingers as this will inject more venom.
Wash the area with soap and water and apply ice to reduce swelling.
If you are allergic to bees or have been stung multiple times, seek medical attention immediately.
Q: How do I protect myself from bees?
A: To protect yourself and your family from bees:
Remain alert for bees when outdoors, use caution when around bees and respect all bees.
Eliminate all potential nesting sites by sealing off gaps in walls, chimneys, and around plumbing. Discourage bees from making your home their home.
Inspect eaves of structures for signs of bees. Watch for regular entrance and exit routes used by bees
If chased by a bee swarm, run away in a straight line, cover your head and face with your shirt or jacket, and seek protection in an enclosed structure or car.
Call a pest control company if you find a hive in an area where people, pets or livestock could be harmed. Pest control companies are listed in the yellow pages of your local telephone directory.
Q: How do insect traps benefit our county?
A: The traps are placed in specific trees and plants and target specific insect pests such as fruit flies and the Glassy-winged Sharpshooter, and are used as a means of early detection of these pests. Through early detection, the San Luis Obispo County Agricultural Commissioner’s office and the California Department of Food and Agriculture have a better chance of containing and eliminating the pest before the infestation becomes too large to eradicate.
Q: What if I do not want to have a trap on my property?
A: If we have placed a trap on your property and you do not wish to participate in this program, please contact our main office at 805 781-5910 and ask to speak to the trapping program coordinator. Explain that you wish to have the trap removed, and the trap will be removed as soon as possible.
Q : How can I volunteer my property as a trapping site?
A: If you wish to participate in the program please contact our main office at 805 781-5910 and ask for the trapping program coordinator. Explain that you would like to participate and provide all of the information requested. You may also fill out the online form located at the insect trapping section of this website.