Two separate quarantines have been established in northern San Diego County; one each for Mediterranean fruit fly and Asian citrus psyllid infestations, according to the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA).

Three Medflies were taken from traps in the Fallbrook area of San Diego County from Oct. 29 – Nov. 1 which triggered a quarantine of approximately 79 square miles. A map of the quarantine zone is available at http://pi.cdfa.ca.gov/pqm/manual/pdf/maps/3406MedFlyFallbrook.pdf.

CDFA crews are conducting eradication procedures in the Fallbrook area. The aerial release of sterile Medflies includes 250,000 flies per square mile per week. The release area is approximately 9.33 square miles.

A map of the sterile fly release zone is available at: www.cdfa.ca.gov/phpps/pdep/treatment/maps/MED_SIT_FALLBROOK_09_GMAP_110209.pdf.

The Medfly can infest over 260 types of fruits and vegetables causing severe impacts on California agricultural exports and backyard gardens. A permanent infestation would result in estimated annual losses of $1.3 to $1.8 billion.

CDFA crews are working with local growers, packing houses, transporters, farmers’ markets, and other related facilities to ensure compliance with the quarantine regulations.

Additionally, an adult Asian citrus psyllid was trapped in the Valley Center area of San Diego County resulting in a quarantine extension in north central San Diego County of approximately 977 square miles.

CDFA and USDA are working with county officials and growers to implement the quarantine. A map of the quarantine zone is available online at: http://pi.cdfa.ca.gov/pqm/manual/PDF/maps/3435ACPImperialRiversideSanDiego.pdf.

The Asian citrus psyllid can carry Huanglongbing disease (HLB), also known as citrus greening disease. All citrus and closely-related plant species are susceptible host plants for the Asian citrus psyllid and HLB. There is no cure for HLB once a citrus tree becomes infected. The diseased tree will produce inedible fruit and decline in health until it dies.

California remains free of HLB.

Agricultural shipments from the quarantine zones are restricted by regulations designed to minimize movement of potentially infested commodities. Residents and people moving through the quarantine zone are urged not to remove fruits and vegetables from the area.

The quarantine requires that local residents not move homegrown fruits and vegetables from the property of origin and to consume fruits and vegetables on-site.