Ratings Used to Designate Pest Status of Organisms in California
Pests vary as to the potential and actual harm they present to California's agriculture; its environment and the general public. Based upon the severity of harm, its economic impacts, and the degree of difficulty to manage such pests, a pest rating system is used nationally to rank agricultural pests. The rating that each pest is assigned will aid Alameda County and the State in determining the best course of action to take to prevent or control their establishment. Below you will find a list of the ratings used to designate pest status of organisms in California.

A	An organism of known economic importance subject to state enforced action involving: eradication, quarantine regulation, containment, rejection, or other holding action.
B	An organism of known economic importance subject to: containment, control, or other holding actions at the discretion of the County Agricultural Commissioner.
C	An organism subject to no action, except to provide for pest cleanliness in nurseries.
Q	An organism suspected to be of importance requiring temporary "A" action pending determination of a permanent rating.
D	A pest of little or no importance. No action taken.
X	An organism or disorder believed new to the State, suspected of being of economic importance, and subject to further investigation. Status uncertain because of incomplete identification, undetermined economic importance, or distribution.