Orange County Quarantined Over Fruit Fly Infestation

An 87-square-mile quarantine has been imposed in parts of Orange County, specifically around Santa Ana and Garden Grove, following the detection of the invasive oriental fruit fly. The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) confirmed the presence of eight flies, prompting measures to protect local agriculture, as the pest threatens over 230 crops including citrus and stone fruits. Residents within the quarantine zone are advised not to move homegrown produce off their property but can consume or process it on-site. Disposal guidelines include double-bagging contaminated items and discarding them in regular trash, not green waste. Eradication efforts will utilize a 'male attractant' technique involving organic pesticide to disrupt the breeding cycle of the flies. The quarantine aims to prevent significant agricultural losses estimated between $44 to $176 million if left unchecked.