A citrus greening quarantine in Southern California has expanded.
This expansion now reaches into the Ramona area of San Diego County and the Loma Linda area of both San Bernando and Riverside counties. In total, 119 square miles from all three counties were added to the quarantine in April, including roughly 440 acres of commercial citrus.
Also known as Huanglongbing, citrus greening is one of the world’s biggest threats to the commercial citrus industry. There’s no cure, and the only way to stop the threat is by removing all infected trees. Infected trees, branches, and fruit can easily spread the disease, so adhering to the restrictions of a quarantine is essential! We also recommend purchasing trees from certified local nurseries, inspecting them monthly, and remaining aware of any quarantines in your area. For more information on quarantine boundaries, look for updates on this USDA map.
We take this issue seriously at Fruit Growers. We offer the tools, pesticides, and expertise needed for effective pest management plans at our supply stores, and we stay up-to-date on new strategies that address citrus greening. Since citrus greening has mainly affected backyard trees in California, it’s important to look for the warning signs of the disease — including mottled leaves, lopsided fruit, and early fruit drop — and take action immediately. For a parter in your battle against citrus greening, give us a call!