Thanks to the cooperation of Orange County residents and coordinated efforts by local, state, and federal agencies, the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), in partnership with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Orange County Agricultural Commissioner, has officially ended the Oriental fruit fly quarantine in the region. The declaration follows the successful eradication of the invasive pest.
The Oriental fruit fly is a serious agricultural threat, known to infest more than 250 types of crops, including citrus, fruits, nuts, and vegetables. It damages produce by laying eggs inside the fruit, which hatch into larvae. An infestation was first detected in November 2024, prompting the establishment of a quarantine that covered areas of Garden Grove, Anaheim, Santa Ana, Fountain Valley, Orange, Costa Mesa, and Huntington Beach. During this period, produce grown within the quarantine zone was prohibited from being moved off-site. Commercial crops had to undergo strict treatment or processing before harvest or transport.
Victoria Hornbaker, director of CDFA's Plant Health and Pest Prevention Services Division, acknowledged the community's role in achieving this outcome, stating that collaboration among residents and various government agencies was crucial. However, she also cautioned that the fight against invasive pests is far from over. California has seen a dramatic rise in invasive fruit fly introductions over the past two years, highlighting the need for continued public awareness, sustained resources, and adoption of new technologies to detect and respond to threats quickly.
Even with the quarantine lifted in Orange County, the risk of new pest introductions remains high. Invasive fruit flies and other pests pose a serious threat to California's agriculture, environment, and economy, as well as to homegrown food sources. Officials continue to encourage the public to be vigilant. Measures include cooperating with agricultural inspections and treatments, avoiding the transport of produce into California from other regions, refraining from shipping or receiving homegrown fruits or vegetables, and purchasing agricultural goods only from licensed local nurseries and retailers. These steps are essential to prevent future infestations and protect California's biodiversity.
For more information:
California Department of Food and Agriculture
Tel: +1 916 654 0462
Email: [email protected]
www.pressreleases.cdfa.ca.gov