What is the main purpose of quarantine in pest control?

The main purpose of quarantine in pest control is to prevent the entry of pests into pest-free areas. Quarantine measures are designed to restrict the movement of potentially infested goods, plants, or animals into regions that do not currently have pest populations. By implementing these measures, public health officials and pest control professionals can effectively limit the spread of harmful pests that could impact agriculture, human health, and local ecosystems.

This practice is especially important in agriculture, where the introduction of a new pest can lead to significant crop damage and economic loss. By ensuring that pest-free areas remain protected, quarantine serves as a proactive strategy in managing pest populations before they become established. Monitoring, eradication, and treatment are reactive measures that may follow if a pest incursion occurs, but they do not encompass the primary objective of quarantine, which strictly aims to prevent pests from entering a new area in the first place.