Invasive Oriental Fruit Fly Threatens California's Food Supply

State mandates removal of fruit crops from over 2,000 homes in San Bernardino County to contain the pest.

Over 2,000 homeowners in San Bernardino County, California, will have their fruit crops removed by workers in an effort to contain the invasive Oriental fruit fly.
The Oriental fruit fly, an invasive species, lays eggs in fruit which develop into maggots and pose a health risk to both residential and commercial food producers.
If left unchecked, the Oriental fruit fly could cause billions of dollars worth of losses annually, significantly impacting California’s food supply.
The fruit removal is mandatory and residents are strongly urged to cooperate. Homeowners will be alerted 48 hours before the fruit removal begins and work is expected to last until February.
Residents are asked not to remove any fruit on their own, but if fruit falls from a tree they are advised to double-bag it and throw it in the trash instead of compost.