Overview
- CDFA confirmed five Mexican fruit flies in La Mesa, with detections clustered within about three miles.
- The quarantine spans roughly 77 square miles bounded by the San Diego River, Sweetwater Reservoir, I‑15 and El Cajon, covering El Cajon, La Mesa, Lemon Grove, San Diego, Santee as well as Spring Valley and Bonita.
- Eradication steps include releasing sterile males, treating properties within 200 meters of detections with an organic Spinosad formulation, and removing fruit within 100 meters where larvae or flies are found.
- Movement restrictions apply to growers, wholesalers, retailers and nurseries handling host fruits or plants, while home gardeners are urged to consume homegrown produce on their property.
- CDFA, USDA and the county agricultural office are coordinating trap deployments and inspections, with residents asked to report suspected infestations to the state Pest Hotline at 1‑800‑491‑1899.