Overview: Mexican fruit flies
These pests often enter the state by hitchhiking in fruits or vegetables brought back illegally by travelers from infested areas
The California Department of Food and Agriculture declared a new quarantine area on Tuesday after Mexican fruit flies were discovered during a routine inspection in La Mesa.
The quarantine affects Spring Valley, Bonita, and five cities in San Diego County:
- El Cajon
- La Mesa
- Lemon Grove
- San Diego
- Santee
The quarantine zone covers around 77 square miles. It is bordered by the San Diego River to the north, Sweetwater Reservoir to the south, I-15 to the west, and El Cajon to the east. A quarantine map can be viewed here.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture, the San Diego County Agricultural Commissioner, and the CDFA are working to contain the infestation and provide guidance to fruit growers, wholesalers, retailers, and home gardeners.
Eradication efforts
- Sterile male Mexican fruit fly releases will be conducted in the area.
- Treatment of properties within 200 meters of detections will use an organic formulation of Spinosad, derived from naturally occurring bacteria.
- Fruit removal within 100 meters will occur at sites where larvae or flies are found.
This is CDFA’s standard, science-based approach and is considered the safest and most effective method to reduce population density.
The quarantine applies to growers, wholesalers, retailers, and nurseries handling any host fruits or plants. Home gardeners are urged to consume homegrown produce onsite and avoid moving it off their property to help prevent the spread of the pest.
The Mexican fruit fly can infest more than 50 types of fruits and vegetables, posing a significant threat to California’s agricultural exports, local food supply, and backyard gardens.
While invasive fruit flies sometimes show up in agricultural regions, most detections occur in suburban and urban communities. The pests often enter the state on fruits or vegetables brought back by travelers from infested areas.
Residents who suspect their fruits or vegetables may be infested should call the state’s toll-free Pest Hotline: 1 (800) 491-1899.
More information is available here.
