California Officials to Strip Fruit from 2,000 Homes to Halt Invasive Fly Spread

The California Department of Food and Agriculture has announced plans to strip fruit from trees at over 2,000 homes in Redlands, California, in an effort to combat the invasive Oriental fruit fly, which poses a significant threat to the state's food supply and agricultural industry. The fly lays eggs in fruit, leading to larvae that can damage citrus and over 230 other crops. The removal is aimed at breaking the fly's lifecycle and preventing potential annual losses worth billions of dollars. Residents will receive notices prior to the removal, which is mandatory, and are advised not to remove fruit on their own to reduce the risk of spreading the fly.