MEXICAN FRUIT FLY ERADICATED FROM CALIFORNIA

Quarantine of 70 square miles lifted in Azusa area

SACRAMENTO, July 13, 2009 – The California Department of Food and Agriculture and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) have eradicated a Mexican fruit fly infestation in Azusa. A quarantine for the pest in Los Angeles County has been lifted. At present, there are no remaining Mexican fruit fly infestations in the state.   

“The Mexican fruit fly is a dangerous pest for California farming and backyard gardens,” said CDFA Secretary A.G. Kawamura. “I would like to say thank you to the residents of Los Angeles County who helped us eradicate this infestation by cooperating with the quarantine.”

The 70-square mile quarantine was put into place in 2008, establishing regulatory procedures designed to stop the spread of the pest. CDFA has been battling this pest for more than 30 years and has a 100 percent success rate in California – never failing to eradicate a Mexican fruit fly infestation.  

The Mexican fruit fly is one of many pests that threaten both agriculture and residential gardens in California. As travel and commerce increase worldwide, the variety and frequency of pests breaching our border are also on the rise. The pest is found in Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico and Nicaragua and can infest over 50 types of fruits and vegetables.

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