MEDFLY QUARANTINE IN PORTION OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY

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SACRAMENTO, October 23, 2023 – A portion of Los Angeles County has been placed under quarantine for the Mediterranean fruit fly following the detection of two wild flies in the Leimert Park neighborhood in the City of Los Angeles.  

The USDA, the Los Angeles County Agricultural Commissioner, and CDFA are working collaboratively on this project.
 
The quarantine area measures approximately 69 square miles, bordered on the north by Melrose Avenue; on the south by West Century Boulevard; on the west by Interstate 405; and on the east by Nevin Avenue.  A link to the quarantine map may be found here: www.cdfa.ca.gov/plant/medfly/regulation.html
 
Sterile male Medflies are scheduled to be released aerially in the area as part of the eradication effort.  The release rate will be 250,000 males per square mile per week in a 9 square mile area around the infestation. This will augment aerial releases of sterile Medflies that occur regularly in the Los Angeles Basin as an exclusionary measure. 

In addition, properties within 200 meters of detections are being treated with an organic formulation of Spinosad in order to remove any mated female Medflies and reduce the density of the population.  

Finally, fruit removal will occur within 100 meters of properties with larval detections and/or multiple-adult detections.
 
The quarantine will affect any growers, wholesalers, and retailers of susceptible fruit in the area as well as local residents.  Home gardeners are urged to consume homegrown produce on site and not move it from their property.  However, residents living in the quarantine area may consume or process (i.e. juice, cook, or grind in the garbage disposal) fruit on the property where they were picked or dispose of fruit by double bagging and placing in the regular trash (not green waste).  

The Medfly is known to target more than 250 types of fruits and vegetables. Damage occurs when the female lays eggs inside the fruit.  The eggs hatch into maggots, which tunnel through the flesh of the fruit, making it unfit for consumption.  Residents who believe their fruits and vegetables are infested with fruit fly larvae are encouraged to call the State’s toll-free Pest Hotline at 1-800-491-1899 or email reportapest@cdfa.ca.gov.

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