In September 2024, the California Department of Food and Agriculture established a quarantine for the Mediterranean fruit fly (Ceratitis capitata) in the Fremont Area of Alameda and Santa Clara Counties. This is due to multiple positive detections of the insect within these areas.
Although San Mateo County is not currently under quarantine, proper procedures should be followed for those in the neighboring quarantined areas. Residents should not move fruit or vegetables that could potentially harbor the fruit fly from the quarantined area. However, these products may be consumed or processed (i.e., juiced, frozen, or cooked) on the property where they were picked, or disposed of by double bagging and placing in the regular trash, not green waste.
The Mediterranean fruit fly (medfly) is considered one of the world's most devastating agricultural pests. It can infest over 250 different kinds of fruit and vegetables, threatening California’s $50 billion dollar agricultural industry. This pest has invaded California multiple times in past decades due to the smuggling of contraband fruit harboring the fly. To avoid further spread of the pest in the future, please ensure that fruits and vegetables are purchased from reputable sellers and avoid bringing back illegal fruit while traveling.
For more information about the quarantine, call CDFA’s pest hotline at (800) 491-1899, read the CDFA press release, or visit the CDFA website for Mediterranean fruit fly here.