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Pheromone infused twist
ties to be utilized in Half Moon Bay, Pescadero and San Rafael
SACRAMENTO,
Friday, February 01, 2008 – The California Department of Food and
Agriculture (CDFA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) are
announcing that treatment using pheromone-infused “twist ties” has been
scheduled for Light Brown Apple Moth eradication in the communities of
Half Moon Bay and Pescadero, in San Mateo County, and San Rafael, in Marin
County. The treatments are scheduled to begin February 19 in San Rafael
and on February 25 in San Mateo County. Residents in these areas will
receive notices by mail detailing the treatment schedule and inviting them
to upcoming informational open houses to discuss the program.
The schedule of informational open houses is as follows: Marin County San Mateo County
Twist tie treatments will occur within approximately 200 meters of known Light Brown Apple Moth infestations. In Half Moon Bay, two areas east of Highway 1, near Highway 92, will be treated. In Pescadero, three areas will be treated along Pescadero Creek Rd., near the intersections of Stage Rd, Pomponio Truck Trail, and Dearborn Park Road. In Marin County, treatments are scheduled near the intersections
of: Twist ties are applied by ground crews to host plants, trees and fence posts in isolated, lightly infested areas. This approach creates mating disruption by dispersing an odorless, moth pheromone in the infested area. This method is highly specific to the targeted moth population and is not harmful to other organisms. After approximately 90 days, depending on whether traps in the area detect any additional moths, the twist ties will either be removed or replaced. Since its detection in February 2007, the Light Brown Apple Moth has
been detected throughout the central coast region in the counties of
Monterey, Santa Cruz, Santa Clara, San Mateo, Contra Costa, Marin, San
Francisco, Alameda and Solano. CDFA and the USDA continue work on
treatment plans for communities within these counties. Small,
isolated infestations detected last year in Los Angeles and Napa counties
have already been eradicated. Twist ties were utilized in both
counties. The Light Brown Apple Moth is native to Australia and is found in New Zealand, the United Kingdom and Hawaii. The range of host plants is broad with more than two-thousand plant species known to be susceptible to attack by this pest. It threatens California’s environment—including cypress, redwood and oak trees—and the food supply. The pest destroys, stunts or deforms young seedlings; spoils the appearance or ornamental plants; and injures citrus, grapes, and deciduous fruit tree crops. For more information on the light brown apple moth, please visit http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/ -30-  The
California Department of Food and Agriculture protects and promotes
California's $31.8 billion agricultural industry. California's farmers and
ranchers produce a safe, secure supply of food, fiber and shelter;
marketed fairly for all Californians; and produced with responsible
environmental stewardship.
California Department of Food and Agriculture Office of
Public Affairs Nancy Lungren, Deputy Secretary 1220 N St., Ste. 214, Sacramento, CA 95814 916-654-0462, http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/ |
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