Now It's Fruit Fly Problem in Contra Costa County; Eradication Efforts Begin This Week

Efforts to eradicate an invasive fruit fly species are underway in eastern Contra Costa County after the pests were found in flytraps in Bay Point and Pittsburg, a county spokeswoman said.

County agricultural department crews discovered three male guava fruit flies in traps set to monitor for Oriental fruit flies from July 9 to July 11, according to county spokeswoman Betsy Burkhart.

The California Department of Food and Agriculture, or CDFA, confirmed the identification of the pests and is leading the effort to eradicate them.

The eradication program is expected to take place this week within a 90-square-mile area, including a large portion of water and part of the Concord Naval Weapons Station, according to Burkhart.

The treatment will include spraying telephone poles with a mix of bait and insecticide at heights of 9 to 10 feet, out of reach of people and pets, the spokeswoman said.

The guava fruit fly is a pest that is not native to the U.S. and is normally found in India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Thailand, according to the CDFA.

Area residents with questions about the fruit fly eradication program may contact the county's agricultural department at (925) 646-5250 or the CDFA hotline at (800) 491-1899.

--Bay City News