Solano County Medfly Quarantine Goes Into Effect

SOLANO COUNTY, CA – The discovery of four adult Mediterranean fruit flies — or Medfly — in and around the city of Fairfield has prompted officials with the Solano County Department of Agriculture, the California Department of Food and Agriculture and the United States Department of Agriculture to call for a quarantine of the area, according to a county news release issued Wednesday.

According to Solano County Agricultural Commissioner Jim Allan, the Medflies were discovered on fruit from residential properties in the Tolinas area of Fairfieled, near Abernathy Road in the Suisun Valley. Although state officials will determine the extent of the quarantine within the next day or so, Allan said the affected area will likely be about 9 miles in circumference.

Allan said the flies were found Monday in the same area in which a single Medfly was discovered earlier this month. On Tuesday, county officials received word that lab results had confirmed their suspicions in the latest finding, he said.

Authorities say the Medfly is known to target more than 250 types of fruits and vegetables, which could cause significant impacts to California's agricultural exports and backyard gardens. Damage occurs when the female lays eggs inside the fruit; the eggs then hatch into maggots and tunnel through the flesh of the fruit, making it unfit for consumption.

Allan said in this case, the medflies were found on an orange, an Asian pear and a quince.

Once the quarantine area is identified, affected residents will be notified that they should not take homegrown fresh fruit or vegetables outside of that zone, Allan said.

Non-toxic spraying will begin immediately as the first step in quelling the infestation, he said.

The quarantine will likely last until spring, the commissioner said.

Any residents who believe their fruits and vegetables may be infested with Medfly larvae are encouraged to call the state’s toll-free Pest Hotline at 800-491-1899.

Public domain image by Scott Bauer, U.S. Department of Agriculture via Wikimedia Commons