Calif. Dept. of Food & Agriculture to hold meeting Mon., May 13 in Fallbrook about insect attacking citrus trees in area

The California Dept. of Food & Agriculture (CDFA) has announced it will hold an open house meeting in Fallbrook on Monday, May 13 in order to address a disease-carrying pest found in the area threatening citrus trees.

Property owners with citrus trees can learn about the Asian Citrus Psyllid (ACP), a serious insect pest in California that transmits a bacterial disease called huanglongbing (HLB) to citrus trees. Trees infected with the HLB disease produce bitter and misshapen fruit. The disease is fatal to citrus trees.

Experts will discuss a recommended treatment plan designed to mitigate the infestation.

Authorities said, "Limited ground treatments with a formulation of a pyrethroid will be applied to the foliage of citrus trees on [local] properties. At the same time, an imidacloprid insecticide will be applied to the soil beneath the citrus trees for ongoing protection against the ACP. CDFA will follow all pesticide label directions."

To learn more about the pest/disease, residents are invited to attend the open house on Monday, May 13 at Pala Mesa Resort in the Cypress Room between 5:30 and 7 p.m. It will not feature a formal presentation, but will be staffed by cooperating agency officials who can knowledgeably address concerns of property owners and answer questions.

Those that are concerned but cannot attend the open house can call the pest hotline at (800) 491-1899.