WIPE OUT

Surfs up for many Floridians and visitors who will be hitting the coast this summer! People are already flooding the 1,350 miles of coastline here in the Sunshine state.

Whether traveling via boat, car or airplane, be aware of the invasive pests and diseases that could be sneaking home on your food or plant material.

Linus and his gang of pest patrollers are already guarding our borders to keep Florida safe. You can help too!

Here are some summer travel safety tips:

• Don’t bring any agricultural products home with you. That includes fruits and vegetables, meats, plants, etc. Be sure to clean the soil from your shoes or clothing before repacking for the return home.
• Don’t move firewood. If you are camping on the coast, buy local firewood when you arrive. Firewood may harbor pests that could be potentially harmful if introduced into new environments.
• Be an advocate. Support Florida agriculture by informing others about the dangers of bringing pests into the Sunshine State. If you see or hear of any invasive pests, or witness the entry of any illegal agricultural products, report them.

Here at DPI, we work to detect intercept and control plant and honey bee pests that threaten Florida’s native and commercially grown plants and agricultural resources.

Failure to declare food products can not only result in up to $10,000 in fines and penalties, but it can also harm our environment.

Feel free to wipe out on the water, but please don’t wipe out our natural resources! Don’t pack a pest!

Bowwoww Powwoww at MIA: Blastoff of the travelers ‘Don’t Pack a Pest’ outreach campaign

Are there any news hounds out there looking for some high-flying, tail-wagging good stories to tell?

Participate in the launch of a new program to raise awareness about invasive pests and diseases that may be hitchhiking their way into our food supply.

The ‘Don’t Pack a Pest’ campaign is being launched this Friday at Miami International Airport by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, along with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection and Miami-Dade County.

Invasive critters from other countries, and various parts of our own, sneak through unsuspecting travelers. To prevent the destruction of forests and crops across Florida, FDACS has partnered with several agencies to educate travelers about safe practices during travel, specifically when returning home.

CBP detector dogs are used at international ports across America to sniff out smuggled goods. They serve as an accurate means of locating agricultural products in a pleasant manner, furry and friendly. Invasive pests and diseases may be harbored within a wide range of raw food products, soil and plant material and even processed meats like sausage.

Whether traveling via plane, car or boat, pesky little pests seem to find a way into our suitcases. Fortunately, these K-9 rescuers can sniff out the evidence, keeping the pests from exiting our suitcases and entering our environment.

Here is an important message from Linus, our regal beagle protecting the agriculture industry:  

Greetings fellow not-so-furry friends,

Do you enjoy eating fresh fruits and vegetables? How about watching trees sway in the breeze? If you want to continue enjoying these Florida luxuries, you have to play your part in safe-keeping our environment. The steps are as easy as 1-2-3!

1. Don’t pack pests when you travel. Whether in planes, trains or automobiles, declare agricultural products when re-entering the states. If you see and/or hear of any invasive pests, report them.
2. Don’t move firewood. Purchase local firewood at the location of the fire and be sure to burn it all. Taking firewood home could result in the transportation of invasive pests and diseases. 
3. Purchase only certified plants from registered nurseries.

If you are a member of the media, come out to support the blastoff of my fellow detector dogs this Friday in Miami. You’ll learn a lot about traveling safely, protecting our food supply and the environment.

Don’t be a pest packer, be a pest preventer! Don’t pack a pest.

Don’t forget to visit the event site at http://freshfromflorida.com/pi/travelers/index.html.

Toast to Independence Day! (marshmallows that is)

S’mores and Independence Day are two American treasures that go hand-in-hand. However, this 4^th of July, consider celebrating and protecting another American treasure while you’re building your campfire: Florida forests.

Many harmful pests and diseases are transported via firewood and result in the destruction of millions of trees across the United States. These invasive pests include the emerald ash borer, Sirex wood wasp, the Asian longhorned beetle and the gypsy moth. Diseases such as beech bark disease, sudden oak death and oak wilt are commonly spread as well.

Protect your backyard, campground and Florida’s forests by preventing the spread of these pests and diseases. Here are three easy tips to keep in mind during your red, white and blue celebration:

1.       Use local firewood

Purchase aged firewood where you are going to burn it. Make sure the firewood you purchase is dry and has loose bark. This reduces the risk of spreading diseases and makes starting the fire much easier for you.

2.       Burn all firewood

Use all firewood purchased at your campsite. If possible, try cooking over gas or charcoal as an alternative to burning wood.

3.       Don’t take firewood home with you

Don’t leave behind any unused wood, and don’t bring it or its critters along with you when you leave. If you are unable to burn all of your wood, hand it off to a nearby camper, and ask them to burn it all before they leave.

Preserve the security of our forests. For more information about firewood safety, check out our video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVMBEmJ5DHI. For a gallery of pests and FAQS, visit http://www.dontmovefirewood.org/.

Speaking of security, stay tuned for an update from Linus, the Department of Homeland Security/Customs and Border Protection (DHS/CBP) agricultural detector dog. One of his canine counterparts and other important figures with be visiting Miami International Airport next week to remind travelers to not pack pests! Here is an inside look at Linus’ job of protecting our environment and one of Florida’s chief industries: agriculture. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dea5Y-ksKeY.

Meet our furry, four-legged friend, Linus.

Linus

Lassie might have been able to help pull Timmy out of the well, but Linus is a new breed of protective dogs. As a Department of Homeland Security/Customs and Border Protection (DHS/CBP) agricultural detector dog, Linus promotes national security by keeping illegal agricultural organisms and products out of the country. Linus and his canine counterparts work at airports to sniff out potential invasive species before they have the chance to become established in Florida, ultimately protecting Florida’s environment and thriving agriculture industry.

DPI partnered with the DHS/CBP and the U.S. Department of Agriculture to create a public service announcement and signage that features Linus as the main character to spread the message of the dangers of packing a pest while traveling. Linus will be featured on billboards, and the video and signage will be placed in the Miami International Airport as the first phase of this important outreach program.

Before we introduce you to Linus, we want to hear about your favorite family pet! Do you have a dog that rivals Lassie or holds a special place as a four-legged family member? Perhaps you have a dog that performs an important job like Linus. Click here to visit our Facebook page and let us know about your pup, and we’ll enter you in a drawing to win a “Don’t Pack a Pest” luggage tag, so you can keep Florida safe no matter where you go!

An Officer and a Gentleman

Linus takes a break with his human handler during the busy commercial shoot.

With a face like that, how could anyone not want to help Linus protect our nation’s environment and food supply? The country’s most adorable federal officer wants you to know that harmful pests and diseases enter the United States throughout airports and ports of entry, often unintentionally by travelers. When you travel, don’t pack a pest. Help keep Florida safe!

For more information, visit our website or call 888-397-1517.

Meet Linus.

The Division of Plant Industry has a new favorite pup. His name is Linus, and he’s an agriculture detector dog.

DPI is partnering with state and federal agencies to create a video and signage that will be used in airports and on flights to spread the message about harmful invasive species that can be unintentionally introduced into the nation by travelers. The video features Linus as a main character and portrays the perils of packing a pest through the eyes of an agriculture detector dog.

Many people are familiar with K-9 law enforcement units, but few consumers are aware of the canines that contribute to U.S. national security and protection of the nation’s food supply on a daily basis. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security Customs and Border Protection employs a team of beagles and human handlers, to inspect luggage at U.S. airports for agricultural products. Beagles are ideal “federal agents” because of their keen sense of smell and ability to work around both adults and children in public places like airports. Agriculture detector dogs and their handlers are intensively trained to inspect for agricultural products and work together as a team to serve as a barrier to invasive plant and animal pests and diseases. Trained detector dogs take their duties seriously, but it is important to note that the job is fun for the animals.

For Linus, being an agriculture detector dog has its perks, like being the star of a commercial. Public information officers from DPI are currently shooting the airline video in Atlanta, Ga. Stay tuned for updates on Linus and the video!