Can I Bring My Plants? Moving to Idaho
Can I bring my plants into Idaho?
Idaho wants an inspection certificate from the state you're leaving on the plants you bring in, and soil, bulbs and rooted plants need Japanese beetle certification as well. Hay is fine at the state line, though not on Forest Service or BLM land inside Idaho.
- Checked Sep 2026
What Idaho asks for
- HouseplantsHouseplants (no outdoor soil)Conditional
- Potted plants in soilPotted plants in soilDepends
- Citrus treesCitrus treesDepends
- Other fruit treesOther fruit treesConditional
- Nursery stock & shrubsNursery stock & shrubsDepends
- Cut flowers & bouquetsCut flowers & bouquetsConditional
- Seeds & bulbsSeeds & bulbsDepends
- FirewoodFirewoodNot allowed
- Hay & strawHay & strawDepends
- Soil & compostSoil & compostDepends
6 of these change depending on where you're leaving. Pick a state to see which.
Plant by plant
Houseplants (no outdoor soil)
Conditional
- Certificate
Idaho wants an inspection certificate from the state you're leaving. Houseplants count.
You'd need: Inspection certificate from the state you're leaving
Source & details
Nursery Stock Shipping Requirements: All incoming nursery or florist stock must be accompanied by an official inspection certificate signed by the regulatory agency of the state of origin.
Florist stock: includes cut flowers, foliage and ferns, all potted plants or cuttings or bedding plants, and all flowering bulbs and rooted herbaceous plants used for ornamental or decorative purposes and all corms, whether grown or in boxes, benches, pots, under glass or other artificial covering, or in field or open ground or cuttings therefrom.
Idaho Summaries of External Quarantines, National Plant Board · Idaho Summaries of External Quarantines, National Plant Board · checked 14 Sep 2026 · the general rule is clear, this exact case isn’t spelled out
Potted plants in soil
Depends
- Certificate
This one depends on where you are leaving from. 26 states are treated differently from the rest.
From most states: Anything rooted in soil has to be certified under the Japanese beetle plan before it comes in. Growing media in a commercial package is the exception.
You'd need: Certificate under the Japanese beetle plan
Because of: Japanese beetle.
Source & details
Federal quarantines, depending where you are leaving
Imported fire ant (7 CFR 301.81): Leaving a fire ant quarantine area with soil, baled hay or plants rooted in soil needs a federal certificate or permit, attached to the container, wherever you're going. (NM's only county was deregulated in Aug. 2025.) Leaving Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, or parts of Arkansas, California, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia. 7 CFR 301.81 Imported Fire Ant: Federal Domestic Quarantine (California PQM 214)
Witchweed (7 CFR 301.80): Witchweed is regulated in a handful of Carolina counties, not the whole of either state. Leaving one of those with soil or plants that carry it needs a federal certificate or permit; the rest of the Carolinas, it doesn't apply. Leaving parts of North Carolina, South Carolina. 7 CFR Part 301 Subpart O: Witchweed (eCFR)
Golden nematode (7 CFR 301.85): Golden nematode is regulated in parts of a few New York counties, not the whole state. Leaving one of those with soil or plants that carry it needs a federal certificate or permit; the rest of New York, it doesn't apply. Leaving parts of New York. 7 CFR Part 301 Subpart R: Golden Nematode (eCFR)
Idaho treats 26 origins differently
Alabama: Not allowed . Idaho won't take soil or anything rooted in it from the state you're leaving, because of Japanese beetle. The way round it is a certificate saying it was treated, signed by an official there.
Connecticut: Not allowed . Idaho won't take soil or anything rooted in it from the state you're leaving, because of Japanese beetle. The way round it is a certificate saying it was treated, signed by an official there.
Delaware: Not allowed . Idaho won't take soil or anything rooted in it from the state you're leaving, because of Japanese beetle. The way round it is a certificate saying it was treated, signed by an official there.
District of Columbia: Not allowed . Idaho won't take soil or anything rooted in it from the state you're leaving, because of Japanese beetle. The way round it is a certificate saying it was treated, signed by an official there.
Georgia: Not allowed . Idaho won't take soil or anything rooted in it from the state you're leaving, because of Japanese beetle. The way round it is a certificate saying it was treated, signed by an official there.
Illinois: Not allowed . Idaho won't take soil or anything rooted in it from the state you're leaving, because of Japanese beetle. The way round it is a certificate saying it was treated, signed by an official there.
Indiana: Not allowed . Idaho won't take soil or anything rooted in it from the state you're leaving, because of Japanese beetle. The way round it is a certificate saying it was treated, signed by an official there.
Kentucky: Not allowed . Idaho won't take soil or anything rooted in it from the state you're leaving, because of Japanese beetle. The way round it is a certificate saying it was treated, signed by an official there.
Maine: Not allowed . Idaho won't take soil or anything rooted in it from the state you're leaving, because of Japanese beetle. The way round it is a certificate saying it was treated, signed by an official there.
Maryland: Not allowed . Idaho won't take soil or anything rooted in it from the state you're leaving, because of Japanese beetle. The way round it is a certificate saying it was treated, signed by an official there.
Massachusetts: Not allowed . Idaho won't take soil or anything rooted in it from the state you're leaving, because of Japanese beetle. The way round it is a certificate saying it was treated, signed by an official there.
Michigan: Not allowed . Idaho won't take soil or anything rooted in it from the state you're leaving, because of Japanese beetle. The way round it is a certificate saying it was treated, signed by an official there.
Minnesota: Not allowed . Idaho won't take soil or anything rooted in it from the state you're leaving, because of Japanese beetle. The way round it is a certificate saying it was treated, signed by an official there.
Missouri: Not allowed . Idaho won't take soil or anything rooted in it from the state you're leaving, because of Japanese beetle. The way round it is a certificate saying it was treated, signed by an official there.
New Hampshire: Not allowed . Idaho won't take soil or anything rooted in it from the state you're leaving, because of Japanese beetle. The way round it is a certificate saying it was treated, signed by an official there.
New Jersey: Not allowed . Idaho won't take soil or anything rooted in it from the state you're leaving, because of Japanese beetle. The way round it is a certificate saying it was treated, signed by an official there.
New York: Not allowed . Idaho won't take soil or anything rooted in it from the state you're leaving, because of Japanese beetle. The way round it is a certificate saying it was treated, signed by an official there.
North Carolina: Not allowed . Idaho won't take soil or anything rooted in it from the state you're leaving, because of Japanese beetle. The way round it is a certificate saying it was treated, signed by an official there.
Ohio: Not allowed . Idaho won't take soil or anything rooted in it from the state you're leaving, because of Japanese beetle. The way round it is a certificate saying it was treated, signed by an official there.
Pennsylvania: Not allowed . Idaho won't take soil or anything rooted in it from the state you're leaving, because of Japanese beetle. The way round it is a certificate saying it was treated, signed by an official there.
Rhode Island: Not allowed . Idaho won't take soil or anything rooted in it from the state you're leaving, because of Japanese beetle. The way round it is a certificate saying it was treated, signed by an official there.
South Carolina: Not allowed . Idaho won't take soil or anything rooted in it from the state you're leaving, because of Japanese beetle. The way round it is a certificate saying it was treated, signed by an official there.
Tennessee: Not allowed . Idaho won't take soil or anything rooted in it from the state you're leaving, because of Japanese beetle. The way round it is a certificate saying it was treated, signed by an official there.
Vermont: Not allowed . Idaho won't take soil or anything rooted in it from the state you're leaving, because of Japanese beetle. The way round it is a certificate saying it was treated, signed by an official there.
Virginia: Not allowed . Idaho won't take soil or anything rooted in it from the state you're leaving, because of Japanese beetle. The way round it is a certificate saying it was treated, signed by an official there.
West Virginia: Not allowed . Idaho won't take soil or anything rooted in it from the state you're leaving, because of Japanese beetle. The way round it is a certificate saying it was treated, signed by an official there.
Regulated articles shipped to category 1 and category 2 states must be produced and certified according to options as outlined additional requirements or limitations imposed by a state quarantine must be followed.
Category 1 States Arizona Administrative Code, Title 3, Chapter 4, Supp. 12-3, Section R3-4-248 https://agriculture.az.gov/r3-4-248-japanese-beetle California Code of Regulations, Title 3, Division 4, Chapter 3, Subchapter 4, Article 3, Section 3280 http://pi.cdfa.ca.gov/pqm/manual/htm/pqm_index.htm Idaho - Administrative Code, Rule 02.06.24 http://adminrules.idaho.gov/rules/2001/02/0624.pdf Montana Order MTQ-2013-01 http://agr.mt.gov/agr/Programs/PestMgt/quarantines/ Nevada Administrative Code, Chapter 554.162 through 554-220 http://agri.nv.gov/Resources/Regulations/Nursery/ Oregon Administrative Rules, Chapter 603, Division 52, Section 603 -52-0127 http://arcweb.sos.state.or.us/pages/rules/oars_600/oar_603/603_052.html 35 Utah Administrative Code, Rule R68-15 http://www.rules.utah.gov/publicat/code/r068/r068-015.htm Washington Administrative Code, Title 16, Chapter 470, Section 16-470-700 through 19-470-720
Soil, humus, compost, manure, and all growing media (except when commercially packaged) All plants with roots (except bareroot plants free from soil). Free from soil means plants with less the amount of soil or growing media that can harbor any life stage of Japanese beetle (egg, pupa, or larva). Some states define this as free from soil or growing media larger than ½ inch. Grass sod Plants with crowns or roots for propagation (except when free from soil) Bulbs, corms, tubers, and rhizomes of ornamental plants (except when free from soil)
U.S. Domestic Japanese Beetle Harmonization Plan (hosted by WSDA) · U.S. Domestic Japanese Beetle Harmonization Plan (hosted by WSDA) · U.S. Domestic Japanese Beetle Harmonization Plan (hosted by WSDA) · checked 14 Sep 2026 · the general rule is clear, this exact case isn’t spelled out
Citrus trees
Depends
- Certificate
This one depends on where you are leaving from. 2 states are treated differently from the rest.
From most states: Idaho has no special citrus rule. A citrus tree needs the same inspection certificate from the state you're leaving as any other plant.
You'd need: Inspection certificate from the state you're leaving
Source & details
Federal quarantines, depending where you are leaving
Citrus greening and Asian citrus psyllid (7 CFR 301.76): Citrus plants may not be moved interstate out of a citrus greening quarantine area unless a specific provision allows it. APHIS asks people not to mail or carry home-grown citrus plants out at all. Leaving Georgia, Florida, or parts of Alabama, California, Louisiana, South Carolina, Texas. 7 CFR Part 301 Subpart N: Citrus Greening and Asian Citrus Psyllid (eCFR)
Nursery Stock Shipping Requirements: All incoming nursery or florist stock must be accompanied by an official inspection certificate signed by the regulatory agency of the state of origin.
Nursery stock: includes all botanically classified plants or any part thereof, such as aquatic or herbaceous plants, bulbs, sod, buds, corms, culms, roots, scions, grafts, cuttings, fruit pits, seeds of fruits, forest and ornamental trees, and shrubs, berry plants,
Idaho Summaries of External Quarantines, National Plant Board · Idaho Summaries of External Quarantines, National Plant Board · checked 14 Sep 2026 · the general rule is clear, this exact case isn’t spelled out
Other fruit trees
Conditional
- Certificate
A fruit tree needs an inspection certificate from the state you're leaving.
You'd need: Inspection certificate from the state you're leaving
Source & details
Federal quarantines, depending where you are leaving
Spongy moth (trees and shrubs with roots) (7 CFR 301.45): A tree or shrub with roots needs a federal certificate or permit to leave a spongy moth quarantine area. Anything greenhouse-grown all year is exempt, so this is about what has been living in your garden. Leaving Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, Massachusetts, Maine, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, or parts of Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, North Carolina, Ohio, Virginia, Wisconsin, West Virginia. 7 CFR Part 301 Subpart E: Gypsy Moth (eCFR)
Nursery Stock Shipping Requirements: All incoming nursery or florist stock must be accompanied by an official inspection certificate signed by the regulatory agency of the state of origin.
Nursery stock: includes all botanically classified plants or any part thereof, such as aquatic or herbaceous plants, bulbs, sod, buds, corms, culms, roots, scions, grafts, cuttings, fruit pits, seeds of fruits, forest and ornamental trees, and shrubs, berry plants,
Idaho Summaries of External Quarantines, National Plant Board · Idaho Summaries of External Quarantines, National Plant Board · checked 14 Sep 2026
Nursery stock & shrubs
Depends
This one depends on where you are leaving from. 19 states are treated differently from the rest.
From most states: What Idaho publishes about nursery stock and shrubs is a rule for nurseries and sellers, not for moving your own. We have not found one that covers bringing them yourself.
Source & details
Federal quarantines, depending where you are leaving
Imported fire ant (7 CFR 301.81): Leaving a fire ant quarantine area with soil, baled hay or plants rooted in soil needs a federal certificate or permit, attached to the container, wherever you're going. (NM's only county was deregulated in Aug. 2025.) Leaving Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, or parts of Arkansas, California, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia. 7 CFR 301.81 Imported Fire Ant: Federal Domestic Quarantine (California PQM 214)
Spongy moth (trees and shrubs with roots) (7 CFR 301.45): A tree or shrub with roots needs a federal certificate or permit to leave a spongy moth quarantine area. Anything greenhouse-grown all year is exempt, so this is about what has been living in your garden. Leaving Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, Massachusetts, Maine, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, or parts of Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, North Carolina, Ohio, Virginia, Wisconsin, West Virginia. 7 CFR Part 301 Subpart E: Gypsy Moth (eCFR)
Witchweed (7 CFR 301.80): Witchweed is regulated in a handful of Carolina counties, not the whole of either state. Leaving one of those with soil or plants that carry it needs a federal certificate or permit; the rest of the Carolinas, it doesn't apply. Leaving parts of North Carolina, South Carolina. 7 CFR Part 301 Subpart O: Witchweed (eCFR)
Anyone who engages in, conducts, or carries on the business of propagating, growing, selling, dealing in, or importing into Idaho, for sale or distribution, any nursery or florist stock, or engages in the installation of landscape plants, or acts as an agent, salesman, or solicitor for any nurseryman, florist, landscape contractor, or dealer in nursery or florist stock must first obtain a license to do so from the Idaho State Department of Agriculture (ISDA).
Nursery, Florist & Landscaping, Idaho State Department of Agriculture · checked 14 Sep 2026
Cut flowers & bouquets
Conditional
- Certificate
Cut flowers need an inspection certificate from the state you're leaving, same as a potted plant.
You'd need: Inspection certificate from the state you're leaving
Source & details
Nursery Stock Shipping Requirements: All incoming nursery or florist stock must be accompanied by an official inspection certificate signed by the regulatory agency of the state of origin.
Florist stock: includes cut flowers, foliage and ferns, all potted plants or cuttings or bedding plants, and all flowering bulbs and rooted herbaceous plants used for ornamental or decorative purposes and all corms, whether grown or in boxes, benches, pots, under glass or other artificial covering, or in field or open ground or cuttings therefrom.
Idaho Summaries of External Quarantines, National Plant Board · Idaho Summaries of External Quarantines, National Plant Board · checked 14 Sep 2026
Seeds & bulbs
Depends
- Certificate
This one depends on where you are leaving from. 26 states are treated differently from the rest.
From most states: Bulbs, corms, tubers and rhizomes have to be certified under the Japanese beetle plan before they come in. Growing media in a commercial package is the exception.
You'd need: Certificate under the Japanese beetle plan
Source & details
Idaho treats 26 origins differently
Alabama: Not allowed . Idaho won't take soil or anything rooted in it from the state you're leaving, because of Japanese beetle. The way round it is a certificate saying it was treated, signed by an official there.
Connecticut: Not allowed . Idaho won't take soil or anything rooted in it from the state you're leaving, because of Japanese beetle. The way round it is a certificate saying it was treated, signed by an official there.
Delaware: Not allowed . Idaho won't take soil or anything rooted in it from the state you're leaving, because of Japanese beetle. The way round it is a certificate saying it was treated, signed by an official there.
District of Columbia: Not allowed . Idaho won't take soil or anything rooted in it from the state you're leaving, because of Japanese beetle. The way round it is a certificate saying it was treated, signed by an official there.
Georgia: Not allowed . Idaho won't take soil or anything rooted in it from the state you're leaving, because of Japanese beetle. The way round it is a certificate saying it was treated, signed by an official there.
Illinois: Not allowed . Idaho won't take soil or anything rooted in it from the state you're leaving, because of Japanese beetle. The way round it is a certificate saying it was treated, signed by an official there.
Indiana: Not allowed . Idaho won't take soil or anything rooted in it from the state you're leaving, because of Japanese beetle. The way round it is a certificate saying it was treated, signed by an official there.
Kentucky: Not allowed . Idaho won't take soil or anything rooted in it from the state you're leaving, because of Japanese beetle. The way round it is a certificate saying it was treated, signed by an official there.
Maine: Not allowed . Idaho won't take soil or anything rooted in it from the state you're leaving, because of Japanese beetle. The way round it is a certificate saying it was treated, signed by an official there.
Maryland: Not allowed . Idaho won't take soil or anything rooted in it from the state you're leaving, because of Japanese beetle. The way round it is a certificate saying it was treated, signed by an official there.
Massachusetts: Not allowed . Idaho won't take soil or anything rooted in it from the state you're leaving, because of Japanese beetle. The way round it is a certificate saying it was treated, signed by an official there.
Michigan: Not allowed . Idaho won't take soil or anything rooted in it from the state you're leaving, because of Japanese beetle. The way round it is a certificate saying it was treated, signed by an official there.
Minnesota: Not allowed . Idaho won't take soil or anything rooted in it from the state you're leaving, because of Japanese beetle. The way round it is a certificate saying it was treated, signed by an official there.
Missouri: Not allowed . Idaho won't take soil or anything rooted in it from the state you're leaving, because of Japanese beetle. The way round it is a certificate saying it was treated, signed by an official there.
New Hampshire: Not allowed . Idaho won't take soil or anything rooted in it from the state you're leaving, because of Japanese beetle. The way round it is a certificate saying it was treated, signed by an official there.
New Jersey: Not allowed . Idaho won't take soil or anything rooted in it from the state you're leaving, because of Japanese beetle. The way round it is a certificate saying it was treated, signed by an official there.
New York: Not allowed . Idaho won't take soil or anything rooted in it from the state you're leaving, because of Japanese beetle. The way round it is a certificate saying it was treated, signed by an official there.
North Carolina: Not allowed . Idaho won't take soil or anything rooted in it from the state you're leaving, because of Japanese beetle. The way round it is a certificate saying it was treated, signed by an official there.
Ohio: Not allowed . Idaho won't take soil or anything rooted in it from the state you're leaving, because of Japanese beetle. The way round it is a certificate saying it was treated, signed by an official there.
Pennsylvania: Not allowed . Idaho won't take soil or anything rooted in it from the state you're leaving, because of Japanese beetle. The way round it is a certificate saying it was treated, signed by an official there.
Rhode Island: Not allowed . Idaho won't take soil or anything rooted in it from the state you're leaving, because of Japanese beetle. The way round it is a certificate saying it was treated, signed by an official there.
South Carolina: Not allowed . Idaho won't take soil or anything rooted in it from the state you're leaving, because of Japanese beetle. The way round it is a certificate saying it was treated, signed by an official there.
Tennessee: Not allowed . Idaho won't take soil or anything rooted in it from the state you're leaving, because of Japanese beetle. The way round it is a certificate saying it was treated, signed by an official there.
Vermont: Not allowed . Idaho won't take soil or anything rooted in it from the state you're leaving, because of Japanese beetle. The way round it is a certificate saying it was treated, signed by an official there.
Virginia: Not allowed . Idaho won't take soil or anything rooted in it from the state you're leaving, because of Japanese beetle. The way round it is a certificate saying it was treated, signed by an official there.
West Virginia: Not allowed . Idaho won't take soil or anything rooted in it from the state you're leaving, because of Japanese beetle. The way round it is a certificate saying it was treated, signed by an official there.
Regulated articles shipped to category 1 and category 2 states must be produced and certified according to options as outlined additional requirements or limitations imposed by a state quarantine must be followed.
Category 1 States Arizona Administrative Code, Title 3, Chapter 4, Supp. 12-3, Section R3-4-248 https://agriculture.az.gov/r3-4-248-japanese-beetle California Code of Regulations, Title 3, Division 4, Chapter 3, Subchapter 4, Article 3, Section 3280 http://pi.cdfa.ca.gov/pqm/manual/htm/pqm_index.htm Idaho - Administrative Code, Rule 02.06.24 http://adminrules.idaho.gov/rules/2001/02/0624.pdf Montana Order MTQ-2013-01 http://agr.mt.gov/agr/Programs/PestMgt/quarantines/ Nevada Administrative Code, Chapter 554.162 through 554-220 http://agri.nv.gov/Resources/Regulations/Nursery/ Oregon Administrative Rules, Chapter 603, Division 52, Section 603 -52-0127 http://arcweb.sos.state.or.us/pages/rules/oars_600/oar_603/603_052.html 35 Utah Administrative Code, Rule R68-15 http://www.rules.utah.gov/publicat/code/r068/r068-015.htm Washington Administrative Code, Title 16, Chapter 470, Section 16-470-700 through 19-470-720
Soil, humus, compost, manure, and all growing media (except when commercially packaged) All plants with roots (except bareroot plants free from soil). Free from soil means plants with less the amount of soil or growing media that can harbor any life stage of Japanese beetle (egg, pupa, or larva). Some states define this as free from soil or growing media larger than ½ inch. Grass sod Plants with crowns or roots for propagation (except when free from soil) Bulbs, corms, tubers, and rhizomes of ornamental plants (except when free from soil)
U.S. Domestic Japanese Beetle Harmonization Plan (hosted by WSDA) · U.S. Domestic Japanese Beetle Harmonization Plan (hosted by WSDA) · U.S. Domestic Japanese Beetle Harmonization Plan (hosted by WSDA) · checked 14 Sep 2026 · the general rule is clear, this exact case isn’t spelled out
Firewood
Not allowed
Moving an invasive species into or through Idaho is against the law, which makes infested firewood illegal — and you cannot tell by looking. Agencies advise bringing none at all; nothing archived sets out a treatment route in.
Because of: State firewood rules.
Source & details
Federal quarantines, depending where you are leaving
Gypsy moth (outdoor household articles) (7 CFR 301.45): Firewood counts as an outdoor household article. Moving it out of a gypsy moth quarantine area needs a certificate, or the self-inspection checklist from the "Don’t Move Gypsy Moth" program aid. Leaving Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, Massachusetts, Maine, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, or parts of Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, North Carolina, Ohio, Virginia, Wisconsin, West Virginia. 7 CFR Part 301 Subpart E: Gypsy Moth (eCFR)
Idaho prohibits the transport of invasive species into or through the state, which means bringing firewood infested with any invasive species into Idaho is against the law .
ID firewood rules, Don’t Move Firewood (The Nature Conservancy) · checked 14 Sep 2026 · the general rule is clear, this exact case isn’t spelled out
Hay & straw
Depends
This one depends on where you are leaving from. 6 states are treated differently from the rest.
From most states: Idaho asks nothing to bring hay across the state line. On Forest Service or BLM land inside Idaho, though, hay, straw and mulch have to be certified.
Source & details
Federal quarantines, depending where you are leaving
Imported fire ant (7 CFR 301.81): Leaving a fire ant quarantine area with soil, baled hay or plants rooted in soil needs a federal certificate or permit, attached to the container, wherever you're going. (NM's only county was deregulated in Aug. 2025.) Leaving Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, or parts of Arkansas, California, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia. 7 CFR 301.81 Imported Fire Ant: Federal Domestic Quarantine (California PQM 214)
Once a person enters Idaho USFS and BLM lands, a person cannot possess any non-certified forage, straw or mulch (baled or compressed hay and forage (hay) cubes are considered forage).
ISDA recommends pre-feeding your animals State Certified Noxious Weed-Free Forage (hay or cubes) or pellets 48 hours prior to entering these public lands.
Noxious Weed Free Forage and Straw Certification, Invasive Species of Idaho · Noxious Weed Free Forage and Straw Certification, Invasive Species of Idaho · checked 14 Sep 2026
Soil & compost
Depends
- Certificate
This one depends on where you are leaving from. 26 states are treated differently from the rest.
From most states: Soil, compost, humus and manure have to be certified under the Japanese beetle plan before they come in. Growing media in a commercial package is the exception.
You'd need: Certificate under the Japanese beetle plan
Because of: Japanese beetle.
Source & details
Federal quarantines, depending where you are leaving
Imported fire ant (7 CFR 301.81): Leaving a fire ant quarantine area with soil, baled hay or plants rooted in soil needs a federal certificate or permit, attached to the container, wherever you're going. (NM's only county was deregulated in Aug. 2025.) Leaving Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, or parts of Arkansas, California, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia. 7 CFR 301.81 Imported Fire Ant: Federal Domestic Quarantine (California PQM 214)
Witchweed (7 CFR 301.80): Witchweed is regulated in a handful of Carolina counties, not the whole of either state. Leaving one of those with soil or plants that carry it needs a federal certificate or permit; the rest of the Carolinas, it doesn't apply. Leaving parts of North Carolina, South Carolina. 7 CFR Part 301 Subpart O: Witchweed (eCFR)
Golden nematode (7 CFR 301.85): Golden nematode is regulated in parts of a few New York counties, not the whole state. Leaving one of those with soil or plants that carry it needs a federal certificate or permit; the rest of New York, it doesn't apply. Leaving parts of New York. 7 CFR Part 301 Subpart R: Golden Nematode (eCFR)
Idaho treats 26 origins differently
Alabama: Not allowed . Idaho won't take soil or anything rooted in it from the state you're leaving, because of Japanese beetle. The way round it is a certificate saying it was treated, signed by an official there.
Connecticut: Not allowed . Idaho won't take soil or anything rooted in it from the state you're leaving, because of Japanese beetle. The way round it is a certificate saying it was treated, signed by an official there.
Delaware: Not allowed . Idaho won't take soil or anything rooted in it from the state you're leaving, because of Japanese beetle. The way round it is a certificate saying it was treated, signed by an official there.
District of Columbia: Not allowed . Idaho won't take soil or anything rooted in it from the state you're leaving, because of Japanese beetle. The way round it is a certificate saying it was treated, signed by an official there.
Georgia: Not allowed . Idaho won't take soil or anything rooted in it from the state you're leaving, because of Japanese beetle. The way round it is a certificate saying it was treated, signed by an official there.
Illinois: Not allowed . Idaho won't take soil or anything rooted in it from the state you're leaving, because of Japanese beetle. The way round it is a certificate saying it was treated, signed by an official there.
Indiana: Not allowed . Idaho won't take soil or anything rooted in it from the state you're leaving, because of Japanese beetle. The way round it is a certificate saying it was treated, signed by an official there.
Kentucky: Not allowed . Idaho won't take soil or anything rooted in it from the state you're leaving, because of Japanese beetle. The way round it is a certificate saying it was treated, signed by an official there.
Maine: Not allowed . Idaho won't take soil or anything rooted in it from the state you're leaving, because of Japanese beetle. The way round it is a certificate saying it was treated, signed by an official there.
Maryland: Not allowed . Idaho won't take soil or anything rooted in it from the state you're leaving, because of Japanese beetle. The way round it is a certificate saying it was treated, signed by an official there.
Massachusetts: Not allowed . Idaho won't take soil or anything rooted in it from the state you're leaving, because of Japanese beetle. The way round it is a certificate saying it was treated, signed by an official there.
Michigan: Not allowed . Idaho won't take soil or anything rooted in it from the state you're leaving, because of Japanese beetle. The way round it is a certificate saying it was treated, signed by an official there.
Minnesota: Not allowed . Idaho won't take soil or anything rooted in it from the state you're leaving, because of Japanese beetle. The way round it is a certificate saying it was treated, signed by an official there.
Missouri: Not allowed . Idaho won't take soil or anything rooted in it from the state you're leaving, because of Japanese beetle. The way round it is a certificate saying it was treated, signed by an official there.
New Hampshire: Not allowed . Idaho won't take soil or anything rooted in it from the state you're leaving, because of Japanese beetle. The way round it is a certificate saying it was treated, signed by an official there.
New Jersey: Not allowed . Idaho won't take soil or anything rooted in it from the state you're leaving, because of Japanese beetle. The way round it is a certificate saying it was treated, signed by an official there.
New York: Not allowed . Idaho won't take soil or anything rooted in it from the state you're leaving, because of Japanese beetle. The way round it is a certificate saying it was treated, signed by an official there.
North Carolina: Not allowed . Idaho won't take soil or anything rooted in it from the state you're leaving, because of Japanese beetle. The way round it is a certificate saying it was treated, signed by an official there.
Ohio: Not allowed . Idaho won't take soil or anything rooted in it from the state you're leaving, because of Japanese beetle. The way round it is a certificate saying it was treated, signed by an official there.
Pennsylvania: Not allowed . Idaho won't take soil or anything rooted in it from the state you're leaving, because of Japanese beetle. The way round it is a certificate saying it was treated, signed by an official there.
Rhode Island: Not allowed . Idaho won't take soil or anything rooted in it from the state you're leaving, because of Japanese beetle. The way round it is a certificate saying it was treated, signed by an official there.
South Carolina: Not allowed . Idaho won't take soil or anything rooted in it from the state you're leaving, because of Japanese beetle. The way round it is a certificate saying it was treated, signed by an official there.
Tennessee: Not allowed . Idaho won't take soil or anything rooted in it from the state you're leaving, because of Japanese beetle. The way round it is a certificate saying it was treated, signed by an official there.
Vermont: Not allowed . Idaho won't take soil or anything rooted in it from the state you're leaving, because of Japanese beetle. The way round it is a certificate saying it was treated, signed by an official there.
Virginia: Not allowed . Idaho won't take soil or anything rooted in it from the state you're leaving, because of Japanese beetle. The way round it is a certificate saying it was treated, signed by an official there.
West Virginia: Not allowed . Idaho won't take soil or anything rooted in it from the state you're leaving, because of Japanese beetle. The way round it is a certificate saying it was treated, signed by an official there.
Regulated articles shipped to category 1 and category 2 states must be produced and certified according to options as outlined additional requirements or limitations imposed by a state quarantine must be followed.
Category 1 States Arizona Administrative Code, Title 3, Chapter 4, Supp. 12-3, Section R3-4-248 https://agriculture.az.gov/r3-4-248-japanese-beetle California Code of Regulations, Title 3, Division 4, Chapter 3, Subchapter 4, Article 3, Section 3280 http://pi.cdfa.ca.gov/pqm/manual/htm/pqm_index.htm Idaho - Administrative Code, Rule 02.06.24 http://adminrules.idaho.gov/rules/2001/02/0624.pdf Montana Order MTQ-2013-01 http://agr.mt.gov/agr/Programs/PestMgt/quarantines/ Nevada Administrative Code, Chapter 554.162 through 554-220 http://agri.nv.gov/Resources/Regulations/Nursery/ Oregon Administrative Rules, Chapter 603, Division 52, Section 603 -52-0127 http://arcweb.sos.state.or.us/pages/rules/oars_600/oar_603/603_052.html 35 Utah Administrative Code, Rule R68-15 http://www.rules.utah.gov/publicat/code/r068/r068-015.htm Washington Administrative Code, Title 16, Chapter 470, Section 16-470-700 through 19-470-720
Soil, humus, compost, manure, and all growing media (except when commercially packaged) All plants with roots (except bareroot plants free from soil). Free from soil means plants with less the amount of soil or growing media that can harbor any life stage of Japanese beetle (egg, pupa, or larva). Some states define this as free from soil or growing media larger than ½ inch. Grass sod Plants with crowns or roots for propagation (except when free from soil) Bulbs, corms, tubers, and rhizomes of ornamental plants (except when free from soil)
U.S. Domestic Japanese Beetle Harmonization Plan (hosted by WSDA) · U.S. Domestic Japanese Beetle Harmonization Plan (hosted by WSDA) · U.S. Domestic Japanese Beetle Harmonization Plan (hosted by WSDA) · checked 14 Sep 2026 · the general rule is clear, this exact case isn’t spelled out
Still stuck? The people who answer this in Idaho are Idaho State Department of Agriculture.