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Mediterranean Fruit Fly Quarantine Information

TO REPORT SUSPICIOUS FLIES, CALL TOLL-FREE: 1-800 491-1899

Dixon - Solano County

 

Information for Growers and Residents

Mediterranean fruit fly is a devastating pest of fruit and nut crops. When localized infestations of this pest are found in the United States, agricultural officials of federal, state, and local agencies adopt quarantine and eradication procedures. Through these efforts, Mediterranean fruit fly has been declared eradicated in the locations where it has been found.

In September, 2007, a population of Mediterranean fruit flies was found in the city of Dixon, Solano County. Efforts to eradicate the pest have begun, and regulations have been adopted to contain the pest to the localized area. Growers and residents are encouraged to contact agricultural officials before moving any host fruits and vegetables from backyards, orchards, or farms in the area of Dixon.

More information on the Mediterranean fruit fly quarantine can be found by clicking on the links listed above.

Resources for Growers - Contact Information

Cooperative Medfly Project
Regulatory Section
655 South First Street
Dixon, CA 9562

Vince Arellano
(916) 812-4403

Anthony Jackson
(916) 275-2691

Options for Host Fruit and Vegetables - Processing

If appropriate safeguards can be implemented, host commodities may be moved under compliance agreement for processing outside the quarantined area. Host commodities may also be processed within the quarantine area and moved out of the quarantine area. Processor, transporter, grower and harvester must be under compliance with the project. Examples of approved processing methods include, but are not limited to, high-temperature cooking, grinding, canning, etc. All culls and debris must be handled in a manner approved under the compliance agreement. Contact the Project Regulatory Section for more information on approved processing methods or to obtain a compliance agreement.

Pre-Harvest Treatments

All exotic fruit fly host fruits and vegetables grown inside the quarantine area must be treated if intended for sale or for movement within or outside of the quarantine area. The crop owner or grower must provide all necessary chemicals, personnel, application and safety equipment. Treatments must be conducted in accordance with the product/pesticide label and all county, state, and federal laws. Registration for “Special Local Need” with your County Agricultural Commissioner may be required for the use of Malathion™. An officer from the Project must monitor all treatments. The Project must receive advance notification of each intended application.

To be eligible for movement within or outside of the quarantined area, a minimum of four applications must be made during the pre-harvest treatment period. The pre-harvest treatment period is a minimum of 30 days, but could be longer, depending on the life cycle degree-day calculations. The life-cycle degree day calculations are updated at least every two weeks by incorporating the actual daily temperatures in place of daily temperature estimates. Therefore, the pre-harvest treatment period is subject to change. The Pre-harvest Treatment Schedule should be checked on a regular basis.

Upon completion of the all required pre-harvest treatment applications a permit will be issued authorizing the movement of the treated commodity for ten consecutive days. The effective date of any permit issued is the day after completion of treatment. The permit will be valid for a specified amount of time (usually ten days). If harvest is expected to continue beyond the permit end date, additional applications will be required. Failure to comply with the treatment schedule will result in the fruit or vegetables becoming ineligible for movement.

Product Labels

Listed below are products labels for pre-harvest treatments of commodities for Medfly. It is incumbent upon the user to follow all label restrictions. All treatments must be under Program supervision and under compliance agreement. Minimum Pre-harvest Treatment Schedule is 30 days.

  1. GF-120 NF Naturalyte Fruit Fly Bait Supplemental Labeling
  2. Gowan Malathion 8
  3. Gowan Malathion Flowable
  4. Malathion 8-E Insecticide

Pre-Harvest Treatment Schedule

Dixon, Solano County

Post-Harvest Treatments

Contact the Medfly Project Regulatory Section for more information.

Information for Residents

To prevent the spread of medflies via infested homegrown fruits and vegetables, residents and people moving through the medfly eradication area are urged not to move any fruits or vegetables from their property. Fruits and vegetables may be consumed or processed (i.e. juiced, frozen, cooked, or ground in the garbage disposal) at the property of origin. If they are not consumed or processed, dispose of them by double-bagging them in plastic bags and putting the bags in the garbage bin for collection.

If you have questions about eradication, or if you think you have fruits and vegetables infested with medfly larvae, call the CDFA Exotic Pest Hotline at 1 (800) 491-1899.