The California Department of Food and Agriculture continues to urge residents to prevent spread of fruit flies

California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) continues to lead the Oriental fruit fly eradication project in the Redlands and Yucaipa areas of San Bernardino County. Earlier this month, portions of San Bernardino County were placed under quarantine following the detection of multiple flies. A link to the quarantine map can be found here.

The Oriental fruit fly is known to target over 230 different fruit, vegetable and plant commodities. California crops at risk include pome and stone fruits, citrus, dates, avocados and many vegetables, particularly tomatoes and peppers. Damage occurs when the female fruit fly lays her eggs inside the fruit. The eggs hatch into maggots, which tunnel through the flesh of the fruit, making it unfit for consumption.

To prevent the spread of oriental fruit flies through homegrown fruits and vegetables, residents living in the quarantine area are urged not to move those items from their property. However, they may be consumed or processed (i.e., juiced, frozen, cooked or ground in the garbage disposal) on the property where they were picked or disposed of by double-bagging and placing in the regular trash, not the green waste bin.

CDFA is following the principles of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and using various eradication techniques. Their approach has successfully eliminated dozens of fruit fly infestations in California.

CDFA is the lead agency for the quarantine. The San Bernardino County Department of Agriculture/Weights & Measures supports the eradication project by facilitating outreach to the residents and impacted parties within the quarantine.

Residents with questions about the project may call CDFA’s Pest Hotline at 1-800-491-1899. Additional information may also be found here: www.cdfa.ca.gov/plant/off.

For more information about San Bernardino County Department of Agriculture/Weights & Measures, visit awm.sbcounty.gov.

Additional County Update News – October 27, 2023