The Latest Dirt - March 2024

Invasive Fly Quarantine In Our Area

By Paige Shewmaker

On behalf of the California Department of Food and Agriculture, I am providing you with some informational resources for residents regarding an invasive fruit fly quarantine in your area.

The Oriental fruit fly has been found in parts of Contra Costa County, including the Brentwood area. This invasive pest infests and can ruin over 300 types of crops, ultimately making them unfit for human consumption. A quarantine has been established in the area to help eliminate the pest.

Now, it is critical for Contra Costa County residents in established quarantine areas to protect the community’s homegrown produce. Fruit fly infestations can result in the loss of host fruits and vegetables in backyard gardens and commercial operations. We must eradicate these fruit flies to ensure residents can continue to grow produce at home and safeguard the state’s agricultural heritage.

Please take a moment to review the following resources, which are attached and linked below, so that the UC Master Gardeners in Contra Costa County are well-equipped with information to spread awareness among residents about the Oriental fruit fly, its respective quarantine, and ways they can help protect the community’s produce.

• Resident Fact Sheet: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/vtqri2l24x4ssimedwqqp/CP-002-0124-EN_ES_Oriental-Fruit-Fly_Homeowner-Fact-Sheet-Statewide.pdf?rlkey=ofjtpnmuqekjqjf1bkriu9p99&e=1&dl=0
• Resident FAQ: https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/plant/fruitfly/docs/Invasive_Fruit_Fly_FAQ_Residents_1-18-24.pdf
• Use this interactive Map of the Oriental Fruit Fly Quarantine (Residents can enter their address to see if their property to see if their property is located in the quarantine area): https://cdfa.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=d76b6122de514808bf89dc4438d6fb09
  
  To learn more about fruit fly quarantines, please visit CAFruitFly.com