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SACRAMENTO, October 13, 2025 – A portion of Los Angeles County has been placed under quarantine for the Caribbean fruit fly (CFF) following the detection of two adult CFFs in and around the City of Montebello. The quarantine area in Los Angeles County measures 75 square miles, bordered on the north by the city of Alhambra; on the south by the city of Downey; on the west by the city of Huntington Park; and on the east by the city of South El Monte. A link to the quarantine map may be found here: https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/plant/cff/regulation.html
The Caribbean fruit fly is a serious threat to the state’s agriculture and natural resources, with a very wide host range, including avocados, figs, citrus, peaches, pears, and tomatoes. Further information about this invasive species is available online at:
https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/plant/PDEP/target_pest_disease_profiles/caribbean_ff_profile.html
To prevent the spread of this fruit fly through homegrown fruits and vegetables, residents living in the CFF quarantine area are urged to not move fruits and vegetables from their respective properties. Fruits and vegetables may be consumed or processed (i.e. juiced, frozen, cooked, or ground in the garbage disposal) at the property where they were picked. If they are not consumed or processed, please dispose of them by double-bagging in plastic bags and putting the bags in the garbage bin for collection.
Following the principles of Integrated Pest Management (IPM), the California Department of Food and Agriculture, working in cooperation with the Los Angeles County Agricultural Commissioner, will utilize a multi-tiered approach to eliminate CFF and prevent its spread to new areas. Agricultural officials will hand remove CFF host material (fruits and vegetables) within 100 meters of detections to remove eggs and larvae from the area. On properties within 200 meters of detections, staff will also cut host fruit to inspect for any fruit fly larvae that may be present. Finally, properties within 400 meters of detections will be treated with a naturally derived organic-approved material known as Spinosad, which will help remove any live adult fruit flies and reduce the density of the population.
Damage from fruit flies occurs when females lay eggs inside a fruit or vegetable. The eggs hatch into maggots and tunnel through the flesh of the produce, making it unfit for human consumption.
The most common pathway for these invasive species to enter our state is by “hitchhiking” in fruits and vegetables brought back illegally by travelers as they return from infested regions around the world, or in packages of home grown produce sent to California from other states or countries.
To help prevent infestations, officials ask that residents do not transport or mail fresh fruit, vegetables, plants, or soil into California unless agricultural inspectors have cleared the shipment beforehand, as fruit flies and other invasive species can hide in a variety of produce. Please Don’t Pack a Pest (www.dontpackapest.com), keeping in mind that the vast majority of invasive species infestations in California occur not on farms, but in our urban and suburban residential areas.
Federal, State and County agricultural officials work year-round to prevent, deter, and eliminate the threat of invasive pests and diseases that can damage or destroy our agricultural products, natural environment, resources, and unique biodiversity. The efforts are aimed at keeping California’s food supply plentiful, safe, and pest-free.
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