Agency Emphasizes Heightened Summer Travel Increases the Risk of Pests Hitchhiking in Produce and Other Agricultural Products

SACRAMENTO  — With travel demand expected to be exceptionally strong throughout summer 2026, the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) alongside federal partners and county agricultural commissioners across California, are reminding travelers not to pack agricultural products that can harbor invasive pests and plant diseases.

According to AAA, many Americans are planning to travel more frequently this year and expect to take more vacations in 2026 than they did in 2025.

Officials say the increased movement of summer travelers, coupled with rising tourism tied to this year’s major global soccer events, including several matches hosted throughout California, significantly increases the risk of invasive fruit flies and other harmful pests hitchhiking in fruits, vegetables, plants and other agricultural products.

While this risk is often unintentional, invasive pests and diseases can spread quickly once introduced and cause serious damage to California’s agricultural industries and backyard gardens.

“Summer travel season means increased movement not just for people, but for harmful pests as well,” said CDFA Director of Plant Health and Pest Prevention Services Division Victoria Hornbaker. “Invasive fruit flies commonly enter California by hitchhiking in fresh produce brought in by travelers. As travel activity continues to increase, prevention is more important than ever. Most travelers simply don’t realize that bringing produce into the state can introduce destructive pests, which is why we’re reminding everyone: Don’t Pack a Pest, whether you’re leaving for a trip or returning home.”

Agricultural specialists and dog detector teams are diligently working at airports, seaports and border crossings to help identify potential threats in travelers’ luggage and prevent harmful pests and diseases from entering California. It’s critical that travelers declare agricultural items for inspection to help keep California free of invasive pests.

California experienced unprecedented invasive fruit fly outbreaks in 2023 and 2024, believed to be caused by unauthorized movement of infested agricultural products, resulting in multiple quarantines statewide and response efforts exceeding $200 million. California continues to monitor and respond to invasive pest detections, with 169 invasive fruit fly detections reported in 2025. The state has two active invasive fruit fly quarantines in place and successfully completed four eradication efforts over the past year. State officials say preventing invasive pests before they enter California is far more effective and far less costly than responding to large-scale infestations.

For more information, visit StopInvasivePests.com or DontPackaPest.com.