Local news- Press Release
El Segundo Fire Department California - Invasive Fruit Flies Found in L A County How to Protect Your Produce 20 February 2024 ( news )
El Segundo Fire Department , state California ( By Press Release office)
Feb 20,2024
| 17| 1
The
California Department of Food and Agriculture ( CDFA ) is reporting that an invasive pest called the Mediterranean ( Med ) fruit fly has been found in areas of Los Angeles County . The Med fruit fly infests hundreds of types of fruits and vegetables , ultimately making the produce unfit for human consumption .
Although
invasive fruit flies have not been detected in El Segundo
, CDFA has established a Med fruit fly quarantine area in Los Angeles County , which includes areas of El Segundo
, prohibiting the movement of fruit and vegetables within and outside of the
quarantine boundaries
.
CDFA is also urging residents to not move homegrown produce from their property . Residents must follow quarantine restrictions and are encouraged to cooperate with state and local agricultural officials by allowing them access to their gardens to place traps , inspect plants , conduct necessary treatments , or remove potentially affected produce .
To learn more about Invasive fruit fly quarantines , please visit:
CAFruitFly . com
.
How to protect your backyard fruits and vegetables and prevent the spread of invasive fruit flies
Residents living in the invasive fruit fly quarantine areas are urged not to move any fruits and vegetables from their properties .
Fruits and vegetables may be consumed or processed ( i . e . juiced , frozen , cooked , or ground in the garbage disposal ) at the property where they were picked .
If they are not consumed or processed , please dispose of them by double - bagging in plastic bags and putting the bags in the garbage bin for collection , not green waste .
If you are in an established quarantine area:
Please do not compost fruit or vegetables . Double bag and dispose of them in the regular waste bin , not the green waste bins .
Don’t let ripened homegrown produce fall to the ground . Remove mature produce that has fallen to the ground by double bagging and disposing in the regular waste bin , not the green waste bins .
Before entering the United States from another country , declare agricultural products — including fruits or vegetables — to U . S . Customs and Border Protection – Help us protect our agriculture , natural resources , and unique biodiversity from invasive fruit files –
Please Don ' t Pack a Pest when traveling or mailing/receiving packages
.
Buy fruit trees and vegetable plants from licensed California nurseries , as receiving agricultural goods from uncertified sources can spread invasive pests . Source your plants locally and responsibly . To search for a licensed nursery near you , visit
CDFA’s Directory of Licensed Nurseries
.
Inspect your garden for signs of invasive fruit flies or maggots and report any findings to CDFA at
1 - 800 - 491 - 1899
or your
local county agricultural commissioner’s office
.
Please cooperate with agriculture officials and allow them access to your garden to inspect plants .
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Press release information :
Direct link to press release:
Click here .
