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The California Department of Food and Agriculture\u00a0(CDFA)\u00a0has\u00a0expanded\u00a0a\u00a0Mexican fruit fly quarantine\u00a0in\u00a0San Diego\u00a0County\u00a0after\u00a0the pest was detected during\u00a0routine inspections in El Cajon and Spring Valley.\u00a0The quarantine\u00a0now\u00a0covers approximately\u00a0111\u00a0square miles\u00a0and overlaps with the\u00a0existing\u00a0La Mesa quarantine\u00a0area.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
The boundaries are:\u00a0
\u2022\u00a0CA-67\u00a0to the north
\u2022\u00a0Proctor Valley Rd\u00a0to the south
\u2022\u00a0CA-125\u00a0to the west
\u2022\u00a0Riggs Rd\u00a0to the east\u00a0<\/p>\n
A quarantine map is available at:\u00a0www.cdfa.ca.gov\/plant\/mexfly\/regulation.html<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n Cities\u00a0Affected\u00a0 State and\u00a0federal agencies, including\u00a0CDFA, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA),\u00a0and\u00a0the San Diego County\u00a0Agricultural Commissioner\u00a0are\u00a0working together\u00a0to\u00a0contain\u00a0the\u00a0infestation\u00a0and\u00a0support\u00a0growers, wholesalers, retailers,\u00a0and\u00a0home\u00a0gardeners.\u00a0<\/p>\n Eradication Efforts<\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0Releases of\u00a0sterile male Mexican fruit flies\u00a0may occur in the quarantine area CDFA says this science-based approach is the safest and most effective method to reduce invasive fruit fly populations.\u00a0<\/p>\n What\u00a0the Quarantine\u00a0Means\u00a0for Residents<\/p>\n The quarantine\u00a0restricts movement of host fruits and plants for\u00a0growers, wholesalers, retailers, and nurseries. Home gardeners are urged to\u00a0consume homegrown produce onsite\u00a0and avoid\u00a0transporting\u00a0fruit\u00a0off their property to prevent spreading\u00a0the pest.\u00a0<\/p>\n Residents who\u00a0believe\u00a0their fruits or vegetables may be infested should call the state\u2019s tollfree Pest Hotline\u00a0at\u00a018004911899.\u00a0<\/p>\n The Mexican fruit fly can infest more than 50 types of fruits and vegetables, posing\u00a0risks\u00a0to California\u2019s agricultural\u00a0sector, local food supply, and backyard gardens. More information is available at\u00a0www.cdfa.ca.gov\/plant\/go\/MexFly<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n Although\u00a0invasive fruit flies\u00a0occasionally\u00a0appear in agricultural\u00a0areas, most detections occur in suburban and urban communities. These pests often enter the state by\u00a0hitchhiking\u00a0on fruits or vegetables\u00a0brought back illegally by travelers.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u2022 El Cajon
\u2022 La Mesa
\u2022 Lemon Grove
\u2022 San Diego
\u2022 Santee\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u2022\u00a0Properties\u00a0within 200 meters of detections will be treated with an organic formulation of Spinosad, a naturally derived treatment used to manage harmful pests\u00a0
\u2022\u00a0Fruit removal\u00a0will take place\u00a0within 100 meters of locations\u00a0where larvae or\u00a0adult\u00a0flies are found<\/p>\n