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MedFly Quarantine
Recently two Mediterranean Fruit Flies were found in San Jose, and a quarantine area has been declared by the State of California. Mediterranean Fruit Flies are extremely destructive to backyard fruit so we are actively complying with the quarantine and encouraging homeowners to do the same. This quarantine is effective immediately through October 2006, for a 77 square mile area in San Jose. At this point the detection and eradication is limited to a small area and if we all cooperate we can prevent further spread. Please check the map below and read the quick summary below to understand how this may impact you. If you have further questions, please call the State’s Fruit Fly Hot Line at 1-800-491-1899 or http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/phpps/pdep/prpinfo/index.htm. Quarantine Area MapPartial List of Plant Hosts for Mediterranean Fruit Fly
What is the Mediterranean Fruit Fly?The Mediterranean Fruit Fly is a very destructive fruit pest. In Hawaii alone, larvae have been found in more than 200 kinds of host plants. The fly lays its eggs under the skin of host fruits and vegetables, including citrus, plum, apricot, tomatoes, peppers, persimmons and many others. What fruits and vegetables are impacted?Most fruit, tomatoes, peppers and eggplants are hosts to the Medfly. Most other vegetables are not impacted. For a more complete list, click here. What do I do if my home falls within the quarantine area?Everyone within the quarantine area is being asked not to transport any homegrown fruit produce off your property. The Medfly is not a good flier and is spread mainly by people transporting infested produce. You can help in eradication effort by consuming your backyard fruit and vegetables at home, composting, or placing produce in plastic bags before putting it in the trash (not in the green waste bins). If your home does not fall within the Quarantine area, there is no direct impact to you. How does this impact my participation in Village Harvest?If you are within the quarantine area, for the remainder of this year and through October of 2006, we will be unable to harvest your fruit for the hungry. If we have excess capacity, we may make teams available to harvest your fruit for your own use through the year. What do I do with my excess fruit?If you want to give produce away to friends or family, even within the quarantine area, it must first be frozen, baked, canned or preserved. Unfortunately, even home processed fruit may not be donated to feed the hungry. Excess produce must be placed in tied plastic bags before being left for disposal.
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