At Least 2 Cities Under Quarantine After Med Flies Found In Traps

CLAREMONT (CBSLA.com) — An 88-square mile stretch of land in the Rancho Cucamonga area is under quarantine after Mediterranean fruit flies were found in tree traps.

The California Department of Food and Agriculture set up a quarantine area that spans from Claremont to Rancho Cucamonga.

The department said the med flies destroy crops by injecting larva. The most obvious sign is maggots inside fruits and vegetables.

They said only residential farms have been affected by the infestation.

Many residents in Claremont have fruit trees and gardens, including Dr. Albert Chang.

"I have peach trees, I have one pear tree and two grape vines," he said.

Chang noticed someone installed traps on his trees a few weeks ago.

"Frankly, I didn't know how it got there. I was kind of perplexed. But now I know," he said. "If there is an infestation of some sort, I want to know. Because we do eat the fruits."

The quarantine is expected to last up to 10 months.

The Food and Agriculture Department has advised residents not to take the fruits and vegetables off their properties in fears the infestation will spread more.