If the weather is clear and dry Thursday, homes near Avenue 240 and Road 244 near Lindsay will be crawling with State Crews. Workers will be spraying back yard citrus, hoping to get rid of the Asian Citrus Psyllid.
Steve Lyle with the California Department of Food and Agriculture said over the phone, "It's a two pronged approach to take care of any psyllids that might be in the vicinity right now and then to provide protection for up to a year."
The psyllid is a destructive pest. It can carry a citrus tree killing disease known as "Citrus Greening." Places like Florida and Brazil are infested with the bug and the disease.
In Tulare County, the problem isn't nearly as bad. But the county has discovered three psyllids, two were found recently.
The County's Deputy Ag Commissioner, Gavin Iacono said, "Obviously we're all upset and nervous about it, this could really impact the whole industry for Tulare County."
At this point, citrus in the county will not be quarantined. Instead, the state is working on smaller restriction zones. Fruit will be able to leave those zones but it would have to be stripped of stems and leaves first. The plan will only affect a half mile radius where each bug was found.
"We're not issuing the restrictions over a large area as a quarantine would establish." Lyle added, "If we don't find additional pests in six months, the restrictions could be lifted."
That's good news for growers and nurseries. But the plan could change if more psyllids turn up.
The State will only be spraying residential properties. Growers normally spray on their own. Home owners can refuse treatment but the state and county are hoping everyone will cooperate.
TXT 24
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