Announcements

Mexican Fruit Fly Quarantine in La Mesa Area (March 2026)

CDFA has declared a quarantine in the La Mesa area on March 5, 2026, after the confirmed detection of five Mexican Fruit Flies (Mexflies) on four residential properties. The new quarantine will extend through La Mesa, Spring Valley, Lemon Grove, El Cajon, and San Diego.

  • Learn more and view an interactive map of the quarantine area on CDFA's website.
  • Residents with Mexfly host plants are asked not to remove fruit from their property. 
  • Commercial growers can obtain a Mexfly Compliance Agreement to continue to ship, process, harvest and/or sell their crops by contacting us at CQP.AWM@sdcounty.ca.gov or (858) 614-7770. 
  • To report sustpicious pests, please call the CDFA hotline at (800) 491-1899.

Citrus Quarantine Declared in Ramona (March 2026)

CDFA has confirmed the detection of the citrus disease Huanglonging (HLB) in two trees on a residential property in the Ramona area of San Diego County on March 2, 2026. This is the fifth HLB quarantine in the region with ongoing quarantines in Fallbrook, Oceanside, Rancho Bernardo, and Valley Center. 

Mexican Fruit Fly Detections in La Mesa, San Diego County

Between February 5-11, 2026, CDFA confirmed that three adult Mexican Fruit Flies (MexFly) were trapped in the City of La Mesa in San Diego County. Based on these detections, CDFA concludes that an infestation exists in the area. This pest requires immediate action to protect California’s natural environment, agriculture, and economy. In addition to a wide variety of commercial crops, MexFly threatens loss and damage to native wildlife, private and public property, and food supplies. 

California Leads National Horticulture Sales with $3.07 Billion

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) recently released the 2024 Census of Horticultural Specialties report, the only source of detailed production and sales data for floriculture, nursery, and specialty crops for the entire United States.

Horticulture production occurred primarily in 10 states, which accounted for 67% of all U.S. horticulture sales in 2024. California ($3.07 billion), Florida ($2.15 billion) and Oregon ($1.29 billion) led the nation in sales. 

Learn more in CDFA's Planting Seeds Blog post.

CDFA CARES Multi-Hazard Farm-Ranch Emergency Plan Guide

CDFA California Animal Response Emergency Support (CARES) released a Multi-Hazard Farm-Ranch Emergency Plan Guide to help farmers and ranchers prepare in case of disasters.

Cotton Seed Bug (CSB) and Thrips Parvispinus

Two new invasive pests have been found in San Diego County nurseries: Cotton Seed Bug (CSB) and Thrips Parvispinus. Both pests are A-rated, meaning they are of known economic or environmental detriment. Learn more and help keep these pests from spreading by reading the fact sheets linked below:

For more questions and info, please contact AWM's Pest Exclusion Division at PHPP.AWM@sdcounty.ca.gov or (760) 752-4700.

New World Screwworm (NWS)

New World Screwworm (NWS) is a fly whose larvae feed on the living tissue of animals, including livestock, pets, wildlife, and even people. 

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is conducting outreach after recent detections in Oaxaca, Mexico, and encourages the public to stay alert and report any maggots in a wound or animals with draining, foul-smelling sores to CDFA's Sick Animal Hotline at (866) 922-BIRD (2473).

New Information for Snail Compliance Agreements

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) updated its Snail Free Master Permit (SFMP) Program compliance agreements. Please see the advisory to learn more.

Nursery License Renewal Late Fees

AWM would like to share some info from the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) on nursery license fees on how to avoid a late payment charge when renewing your nursery license.

CDFA Guidance on Nursery License Registration Late Fees