The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), in partnership with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Orange County Agricultural Commissioner, announced that the Oriental fruit fly quarantine in Orange County has been lifted following the eradication of the invasive pest. The Oriental fruit fly is known to infest more than 250 types of fruits and vegetables and poses a significant threat to Orange County agriculture.
Since the initial detection of Oriental fruit flies in November 2024, officials established a quarantine that spanned parts of Garden Grove, Anaheim, Santa Ana, Fountain Valley, Orange, Costa Mesa and Huntington Beach. During this period, strict regulations were placed on growers and residents to prevent the movement of potentially infested produce.
As we celebrate this successful outcome, CDFA emphasizes the importance of continued vigilance, especially as the summer travel season is at its peak. Invasive pests, like the Oriental fruit fly, are often unintentionally introduced by the movement of fruits, vegetables and other agricultural items across state and international borders, typically through well-meaning sharing or shipping of homegrown produce.
Eliminating populations of invasive fruit fly species is a critical action to safeguard the future of California’s agricultural heritage. Know what to look for when inspecting produce for fruit flies and inform your staff on how they can follow best practices and conduct visual or fruit cutting surveys on your property. Please report any suspected invasive fruit fly sightings to the CDFA, the USDA or your local County Agricultural Commissioner.
For more information and free resources on invasive fruit flies in California, email CDFA’s invasive fruit fly outreach team at cdfa@nstpr.com or visit CAFruitFly.com.
To read the full press release, click here.