In California, fruit fly outbreaks have become all too common in recent years.
Three adult Mediterranean fruit flies were detected in San Jose this August, resulting in a quarantine that included portions of San Jose, Santa Clara, and Los Gatos. An Oriental fruit fly infestation was detected in San Bernardino and Riverside counties one month later, leading to a quarantine that affected cities like Ontario and Jurupa Valley.
These invasive flies can cause severe damage to California’s agricultural industry, and we want our growers to be prepared. That’s why we’re happy to learn that the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CFDA) and California Association of Pest Control Advisers (CAPCA) are offering a free online course that focuses on invasive pest management. “Participants will gain an understanding of IFF pest profiles, learn what triggers a quarantine, and explore best practices for supporting growers through informed recommendations,” says the class website, which is currently open for enrollment.
The course is titled “Invasive Fruit Flies in California,” and it’s one of several educational courses offered by CAPCA. For a price, growers can also virtually attend related classes like “Specific Pest Updates,” “Pests in Crops,” “Alternatives + Weed Control,” and “Trees, Nuts, & Citrus Pests,” all of which cost between $40 and $70.
“Invasive Fruit Flies in California” — currently the only free class offered by CAPCA — will remain available through December 31, 2025.