Eastvale and Norco Affected by Fruit Fly Quarantine
JURUPA VALLEY (CNS) – Efforts to contain an insect species that’s threatening fruit crops in the Inland Empire prompted the California Department of Food & Agriculture to impose a quarantine to limit the movement of produce in the affected areas, it was announced Thursday.
The Oriental fruit fly has surfaced in parts of Jurupa Valley and surrounding communities, according to CDFA.
To mitigate chances of the flies turning pervasive and damaging crops, the agency declared a quarantine zone covering a large swath of western Riverside, all of Jurupa Valley, all of Eastvale and the northern half of Norco.
The quarantine boundaries extend well into San Bernardino County, encompassing most of Ontario and Rancho Cucamonga.
The boundary map is available at www.cdfa.ca.gov/plant/off/docs/OFF_PQM_Overview_Riverside_SanBern_Counties.pdf.
A total of 54 square miles in Riverside County is impacted, while 74 square miles in San Bernardino County is under quarantine.
“The Oriental fruit fly is known to target over 230 different fruits, vegetables and plant commodities,” according to CDFA statement. “Important 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.”
Pest control technicians have been deploying traps using “attractant” chemicals to draw the male flies to the devices, which contain pesticide.
The flies, which have yellow undersides, are slightly larger than average house flies, measuring roughly 8 mm in length. They’re known to invade areas after arriving with goods or people from southern Asia, as well as Sri Lanka and Taiwan. They’ve also infested parts of Hawaii, according to state officials.
The quarantine directs that residents growing their own fruits and vegetables keep them on their property and not transfer or sell them to people beyond the quarantined locations. Officials also said that double bagging all discarded produce before discarding it would help ensure no larvae escape.
Commercial fruit producers and growers are under separate directives.
In Riverside County, the Office of the Agricultural Commissioner handles all inspection programs on behalf of the state, customarily under yearlong contracts.
For anyone with plans to travel abroad, the CDFA asked that residents consider a “Don’t Pack a Pest Plan,” with useful tips available at www.dontpackapest.com/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery.
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