Medfly Quarantine In Effect For Parts Of San Fernando Valley

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — A quarantine order limiting the movement of fruit has been issued for parts of the San Fernando Valley after invasive Mediterranean fruit flies were found in the Panorama City area.

The order restricts fruits grown in Panorama City, Arleta and parts of North Hollywood from being distributed elsewhere. The quarantine area spans 101 square miles.

Officials are also removing fruit from trees in the area in the hopes of stemming the invasion before the flies can encroach onto commercial agriculture land.

The fly is capable of devouring fruits and vegetables, and is potentially devastating to commercial crop yields. It can also render backyard fruit inedible.

Nine medflies and three larvae were found in the Panorama City area earlier this month.

"We have ample proof that there is a breeding population in the area," LA County Agriculture Commissioner Ken Pullman said. "These are exotic pests that aren't from here.  They don't belong here and they're harmful to backyard fruits and vegetables."

On Thursday, corpsmembers from the California Conservation Corps' local chapter went door-to-door in parts of the San Fernando Valley to remove and bag fruit from trees.

Other preventative measures are in place, too.

The California Department of Food and Agriculture is also spraying pesticides in the area to kill the flies. The pesticide, Spinosad, is organically derived, the department says, and not harmful to people. Sprayed fruit can still be eaten if washed first. Homeowners who wish to opt out of pesticide treatment can appeal with the state.

Officials are also releasing sterile male flies into the area to disrupt medfly breeding.

Any homegrown fruit in the affected area should be eaten or disposed of at home, officials said.

The state's toll-fee pest hotline can be reached at 1-800-491-1899.