HARRISBURG, PA — Chester County residents and mushroom growers will face stricter pest control requirements and gain access to new state funding after Pennsylvania expanded a quarantine order targeting phorid flies to cover the entire county Monday.
What This Means for You
- Countywide quarantine now applies to all mushroom farms, not just select townships
- Growers must follow stricter pest control and recordkeeping rules
- $1 million in state funding available to help farms comply
The expanded order builds on a quarantine first issued in January 2025 for mushroom farms in New Garden and Kennett townships, which are areas heavily impacted by phorid flies — small insects known to infest mushroom-growing facilities and, in some cases, nearby homes.
New Rules and Enforcement Measures
Under the updated order from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, mushroom growers across Chester County must track pest treatments and document insect activity levels.
In addition to steam treatment, farms are now required to implement at least one additional control method identified by industry leaders and researchers at Penn State as effective against phorid flies.
Approved methods include sealing buildings to prevent insect entry, using parasitic nematodes (microscopic organisms that attack pests), deploying predatory mites, applying adult-targeting insecticides, or installing long-lasting insecticide-treated nets.
The order also introduces accountability measures and adds a local staff position to monitor compliance.
State Funding and Support
The Shapiro administration has allocated $1 million in state funding to help mushroom growers meet the new requirements.
The funds will be distributed through the Chester County Conservation District, which will also serve as a point of contact for growers seeking assistance with compliance.
Lawmakers Cite Resident Concerns
State Rep. Christina Sappey said the expanded response reflects growing concerns from residents and the agricultural community.
“The increased resources the department is deploying to combat the phorid fly issue in our county demonstrate the high level of commitment necessary to support not only our residents but also our mushroom growers who are in need of resources,” Sappey said.
She added that new accountability measures and ongoing research could help reduce the impact on southern Chester County communities.
Ongoing Research and Collaboration
The announcement was delivered during a virtual public meeting Monday, March 23, co-hosted by Sappey along with state Rep. John Lawrence and state Sens. John Kane and Carolyn Comitta.
Officials from the Department of Agriculture and Penn State University provided updates on research and mitigation strategies during the session.
Pennsylvania Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding and Penn State agricultural researchers outlined ongoing efforts to identify effective long-term solutions.
“Solutions grow out of collaboration, so I appreciate the administration’s responsiveness,” Sappey said. “I believe this escalated action will benefit residents, the business community, and the mushroom farms themselves.”
How to Apply for Assistance
Mushroom growers seeking financial assistance to comply with the quarantine requirements can contact the Chester County Conservation District at 610-455-1381 to apply for grant funding.
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