Live Tuesday, Aug 18, 2026 | 11am PST
Overview
Invasive fruit flies and other non-native pests pose a serious threat to California’s agricultural industry and backyard gardens alike. These pests can ruin fruits and vegetables, and they don’t discriminate between a commercial orchard and a home garden. In 2023, California saw its most widespread invasive fruit fly outbreak in the California Department of Food and Agriculture’s (CDFA) 100-year history, triggering quarantines that kept residents from sharing homegrown produce with neighbors, family and friends, for months at a time.
The threat is far from over. While three quarantined infestations have been successfully eradicated this year, there are currently two Mexican fruit fly quarantines in San Diego County impacting over 100-sq miles, state and local authorities continue to address detections statewide and peak summer travel is still underway, posing heightened risk for the unintentional spread of invasive pests.
Representatives from CDFA and local agriculture officials will highlight why the risk of invasive fruit flies is especially high this time of year and the important role residents play in helping prevent the spread of these destructive pests. They will also provide an overview of ongoing detection methods, response and eradication efforts when invasive pests are identified and discuss simple steps the public can take to help protect California agriculture.
Related Coverage
- ‘Don’t Pack a Pest’: California Officials Sound Alarm on Invasive Fruit Flies
- YOUTUBE PLAYLIST: Protecting California Communities from Invasive Fruit Flies: Why It Takes Collective Action by Everyone
Guest Speakers
- Victoria Hornbaker, CDFA Plant Health and Pest Prevention Services Director
- Abraham Lopez-Zuniga, CDFA Emergency Response Team Lead
- Jordan Petersen, Los Angeles County Deputy Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer
- Huong Dang, Orange County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office
