State of California Takes Emergency Action to Eradicate Oriental Fruit Flies Found in City of Santa Clara
Treatment will begin on Saturday, Aug. 26, in parts of Cupertino, San José, Santa Clara and Sunnyvale, as agriculture officials remind the public not to bring fruits or vegetables into California that could contain the exotic pest, which threatens the state’s agriculture industry
The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is launching emergency action to eradicate oriental fruit flies found in the City of Santa Clara, declaring the insects a significant threat to the natural environment, agriculture and economy of California.
The treatment will begin on Saturday, Aug. 26, in the area surrounding the sites where two oriental fruit flies were trapped over the past month. The treatment area includes portions of Cupertino, San José, Santa Clara and Sunnyvale.
The treatment area is likely to expand in coming days. Authorities have detected several other suspected fruit flies in the same region and are in the process of confirming these findings.
The treatment, used many times over the years to eradicate infestations in California, is safe for the public and will be conducted over the course of several weeks.
The oriental fruit fly poses a significant threat to California’s multibillion-dollar agricultural industry. It is native to Asia and has spread to multiple Pacific Islands, including Hawaii. It is known to infest more than 230 types of fruits and vegetables, including such valuable California crops as avocados, apples, stone and citrus fruits, tomatoes and peppers. The 2020 value of California crops threatened by the fruit fly was $19.3 billion, according to the CDFA.
The most common ways for the fruit fly to enter California are when people illegally bring fruits and vegetables back from their travels or receive packages of homegrown produce through the mail. County of Santa Clara Agricultural Commissioner Joe Deviney said it’s critical for county residents to follow federal and state laws governing what they are allowed to bring home when traveling.
“It would be disastrous for the oriental fruit fly to get established in Santa Clara County and California,” Deviney said. “We all need to be vigilant in protecting our agricultural and natural resources. Please do not bring or ship any fruits, vegetables or plants into California without ensuring they are permitted by law.”
CDFA will seek to eradicate the fruit flies by applying bait high on street trees, utility poles and other surfaces within a roughly 1.5-mile radius of the spots where the flies were discovered. The bait contains a natural compound called methyl eugenol, which attracts the flies, and an organic pesticide known as spinosad, which kills them. The small splotches of bait are applied eight to 10 feet off the ground using a pressurized gun.
Oriental fruit flies are larger than common houseflies. They lay eggs under the skin of host fruits. When the eggs hatch into larvae, they tunnel through the flesh of the fruit, making it unfit for human consumption.
Because the larvae can remain hidden within the fruit for up to 10 days, they can “hitchhike” into California undetected. That’s why it’s important for the public to remember not to pack any pests when traveling or mailing packages. Visit the Don’t Pack a Pest website for more information. If you come across produce that looks like it may be infested, or if you have any questions, contact the County of Santa Clara Division of Agriculture at scc.agriculture@cep.sccgov.org or 408-918-4600.
Federal, State and County agricultural officials work 365 days a year to protect our food supply and prevent, detect and eliminate the threat of invasive species and diseases that can damage our agricultural products and natural environment.
