US (CA): Third fruit fly discovery prompts 8-week treatment
The two trapped flies prompted an emergency proclamation for an immediate eradication program by the state secretary of agriculture, county officials said.
The insects were sent to the state Department of Food and Agriculture where they were confirmed to be oriental fruit flies, Deviney said.
The treatment started Thursday and will continue every two weeks through November, during which time a crew from the state agriculture department will apply a clay-like gel at about 8 to 10 feet high on fruit trees and utility poles, Deviney said.
The gel consists of a pheromone intended to attract male flies and a small amount of insecticide, he said.
After the eight-week span, when the oriental fruit fly population is expected to collapse, the county will continue to use its sticky cardboard traps to catch and detect the flies, according to Deviney.
The treatment area covers 15 square miles roughly bordered by Prospect Road and Hamilton Avenue to the north; San Tomas Expressway and White Oaks Road to the east; Los Gatos Boulevard and Wood Road to the South and Fruitvale Avenue to the west.
There has been an unusual increase this year in oriental fruit fly infestations in Southern California and the Bay Area, Deviney said.
Deviney suspects the insects are coming from illegal shipments and recommends people who are traveling from foreign countries make sure they don't come back with any "hitchhiking" flies.
Source: abc7news.com
