Redlands Under Mandatory Fruit Removal: Fighting Oriental Fruit Fly

Fruit removal set as part of the Oriental fruit fly eradication programPhoto bySBCounty.gov

Redlands, CA: In an unprecedented move to safeguard Californian crops, the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), in collaboration with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and local agricultural commissioner's offices, has announced a massive fruit removal initiative targeting over 2,000 residences in the Redlands area of San Bernardino County. Scheduled to commence in late January, this initiative is a strategic response to the threat posed by the invasive Oriental fruit fly.

The targeted fruit removal program is designed to disrupt the life cycle of the Oriental fruit fly—a pest known for laying eggs in fruit, which subsequently develop into harmful larvae. Homeowners within the specified boundaries—north and south of I-10, between E. Highland Ave. and Silver Leaf Ct., and stretched from Garden and Elizabeth streets to Alta Vista Dr.—are under a mandatory order to have all host fruit removed from their properties to prevent further infestation.

CDFA's efforts are focused on preserving the integrity of more than 230 types of crops at risk, including citrus fruits, nuts, vegetables, and berries. If the Oriental fruit fly is allowed to proliferate unchecked, the economic repercussions could be devastating, with potential losses running into billions of dollars annually, posing a serious threat to the state's food supply chain.

Residents within the targeted area are urged to adhere to the instructions and cooperate fully with the agricultural officials spearheading the project. To facilitate smooth operations, property owners will be given 48 hours' notice before the CDFA-led teams arrive for fruit removal. These teams may comprise CDFA and USDA employees, members of the California Conservation Corps, and specialized private contractors.

In a bid to prevent the spread of the pest, residents are requested not to handle fruit removal themselves nor transport any produce off their property. Fallen fruit must be securely double-bagged and discarded in trash bins, not in green waste containers or any organic refuse disposal methods, to reduce the risk of spreading the flies and their larvae.

The fruit removal initiative is expected to conclude by the end of February. For further details and updates about the project, as well as information on combating the spread of the Oriental fruit fly, residents are encouraged to visit CAFruitFly.com. A map outlining the affected area is available for viewing here.

The CDFA’s proactive steps are crucial for preventing a full-scale infestation that could significantly impact both residential and commercial agriculture, reaffirming California's commitment to maintaining its status as a key supplier in the nation's food economy.