A portion of San Diego County has been placed under quarantine for the Mexican fruit fly following the detection of six flies and one larva in and around the unincorporated area of Valley Center. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the San Diego County Agricultural Commissioner, and the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) are working collaboratively on this project. The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) declared a 77-square-mile quarantine covering Valley Center and surrounding areas on August 19.
CDFA officials said anyone growing or packing “host” fruit ( Arabic | Chinese | Dari | Farsi | Korean | Somali | Spanish | Tagalog | Vietnamese) inside the quarantine area — commercially or in private yards — are urged not to move fruit off their properties. Residents and home gardeners affected by the quarantine should consume homegrown produce on-site, to include canning, freezing or juicing and should not move host items from their property. Residents with questions are encouraged to call the consumer hotline at (800) 491-1899.
Commercial growers or packers should reach out to CDFA or AWM for instructions and information on harvesting during the quarantine and measures that should be taken to prevent the spread of this pest and an expansion of the quarantine area. If you are a grower, processor, fruit seller, or transporter located or working in the quarantine you may be required to sign a compliance agreement. A Grower’s Compliance Checklist ( Arabic | Chinese | Dari | Farsi | Korean | Somali | Spanish | Tagalog | Vietnamese) is available to review what documentation will be needed to complete a compliance agreement.
- For specific questions regarding this quarantine please contact local CDFA Project Hotline: 760-752-4718
- To report Mexican Fruit Fly sightings, please contact CDFA Exotic Pest Hotline: 800-491-1899
- For questions regarding pre-quarantine requirements please contact AWM at 858-614-7770
Growers’ meetings were held on 8/23,8/24/ and 8/25. If you were
unable to attend the presentations are posted below:
Presentations from Growers Meeting:
Agriculture, Weights & Measures (AWM) Presentation
California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Presentation
Arabic | Chinese | Dari | Farsi | Korean | Somali | Spanish | Tagalog | Vietnamese
**NEW** Pre-Quarantine Grower Meeting Presentation
**NEW** Pre-Quarantine Grower Information Packet
- For meeting questions, contact AWM’s Citrus Quarantine Program: (858) 614-7770
- For questions specific to
this quarantine, contact local CDFA Project Hotline: (760) 752-4718
- To report a Mexican fruit fly sighting, contact CDFA Exotic Pest Hotline: (800) 491-1899
Visit CDFA - Plant Health - MEXFLY - Quarantine Boundary Maps (ca.gov) to view quarantine boundaries.
**DIRECTIONS WITH LINKS TO DETERMINE IF PROPERTY IS IN THE QUARANTINE BOUNDARY**
Avocado Packing House Forms and Instructions
Avocado Packing House Presentation
Avocado Packing House Compliance Agreement
LATEST NEWS
***NEW*** County of San Diego County News Center: Mexican Fruit Fly Quarantine Declared in Valley Center
***NEW*** California Department of Food and Agriculture Mexican
Fruit Fly Press Release: MEXICAN
FRUIT FLY QUARANTINE IN PORTION OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY
MEXICAN FRUIT FLY INFORMATION
The Mexican Fruit Fly (MFF) is among the world’s most destructive pests and can destroy many types of fruit, including oranges, grapefruits, apples, peaches, and pears. This fly would threaten the production, sale, and export of many fruit crops in the San Diego region and California if it were allowed to become established. Please see the following information and the list of host plants linked below:
Mexican Fruit Fly Information Sheet
MORE INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE
CDFA - www.cdfa.ca.gov/phpps/
CDFA Pest Hotline: 800-491-1899
APHIS/USDA - www.aphis.usda.gov
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