State reaffirms citrus pest quarantine in Turlock area

The state Monday reaffirmed a quarantine aimed at controlling the Asian citrus psyllid, a major pest, in southern Stanislaus and northern Merced counties.

The 101-square-mile zone does not include extensive groves, but it does affect people who have orange, lemon, grapefruit and other citrus trees in their yards. They are urged not to transport the fruit, leaves, stems or potted plants outside the boundary.

The announcement from the California Department of Food and Agriculture continues a quarantine that had been declared on an emergency basis after two psyllids were found in Turlock in October.

The insect can carry an incurable disease called huanglongbing, also known as citrus greening. Infected trees produce bitter, misshapen fruit and eventually die.

The pest has done about $1.3 billion in damage in Florida in recent years and threatens the large industry in the central and southern San Joaquin Valley and Southern California.

“The Asian citrus psyllid and huanglongbing could be a death sentence for California’s $3 billion citrus industry,” said an email from Alyssa Houtby, director of public affairs for California Citrus Mutual, based in Exeter in Tulare County. “It is one of the biggest threats to our state’s citrus growers and the citrus trees homeowners enjoy in their own backyards.”

The quarantine zone is roughly bordered on the north by East Service Road, on the south by August Avenue, on the west by Blaker Road, and on the east by North Hickman Road.

The discovery in October prompted spraying in part of this area and stepped-up monitoring with traps. No more psyllids have been found since, said Daniel Bernaciak, assistant agricultural commissioner for Stanislaus County.

Many citrus trees bear fruit in winter, unlike the Valley’s other major tree crops, so now is the time for owners to learn the quarantine rules.

“There are 2,500 citrus growers in California, all of whom employ workers and give back to their local economies,” Houtby said. “All of this could be lost if huanglongbing is allowed to take hold.”

Stanislaus County reported 526 acres of citrus groves last year, producing $3.2 million in gross income to growers. Merced and San Joaquin counties had too little production to report.

The state has ordered psyllid quarantines in all of Imperial, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, Santa Barbara, Tulare and Ventura counties. They also are in force in parts of Alameda, Fresno, Kern, Madera, Merced, San Benito, San Francisco, San Joaquin, San Luis Obispo, San Mateo, Santa Clara and Stanislaus counties.

Residents who think they may have seen the pest are urged to call 800-491-1899. More information is at www.cdfa.ca.gov/plant/acp.

This story was originally published December 28, 2015 at 5:33 PM with the headline "State reaffirms citrus pest quarantine in Turlock area."