Plant Industry - Biological Control Services - Quarantine Facility

Plant Industry - Plant Protection Section Biological Control Services - Quarantine Facility

Our facility is USDA inspected and approved for the containment of nonindigenous phytophagous arthropods and their parasitoids and predators.  We enforce good laboratory practices, including stringent controls to prevent the release of any exotic organism into the environment. 

The double-doored, alarm-equipped entrance vestibule features a full-length mirror to allow self-inspection before exit.  Blacklight traps are maintained throughout the facility.  An adjacent restroom and shower allow for extended use of the facility without the need for exit and re-entry.

The Support Laboratory features ample storage and working space to accommodate incoming shipments, media preparation, and sanitation processes.  A full-sized, programmable environmental chamber is available for maintenance of unrestricted plant, insect, and other biological materials.

We offer six quarantine rooms, two with tabletop environmental chambers.  Shared working space and an emergency exit adjoin the quarantine area.  Available for long or short-term projects, this facility allows researchers to conduct studies of exotic species without the expense of building and maintaining a quarantine laboratory.

We maintain a clean operational standard to eliminate undesired pests and pathogens.  The lab features a dedicated air handling system with HEPA filters, airflow that follows an inward pressure gradient, doorsweeps on all doors, and 100-mesh filters on all drains, registers and door vents.  Additional arthropod-proofing measures include silicone caulk seals at every junction and wall attachment.  All materials are sterilized before disposal.  

For more information, an application for use of the facility, guidance with the permit process, or a copy of our Quarantine manual, please contact Nancy Oderkirk, the Quarantine Officer.

Recent Projects at the NCDA Quarantine Lab:

Hemlock Woolly Adelgid Predators

Diet development for laboratory insect colonies

Location

The NCDA&CS quarantine facility is located inside the Beneficial Insect Laboratory at 950 E. Chatham St. in Cary, NC. This containment facility is conveniently located between North Carolina State University and Research Triangle Park and is easily accessible via Interstate 40.