Just as the citrus season gears up, Ag workers come across three tiny insects, the Asian citrus Psyllid, in traps near orange groves in Tulare County. It carries a disease that's already cost Florida growers billions of dollars.
California’s Department of Agriculture is still trying to figure out where the bug came from and how to stop it...
“If they don't eradicate it I know it will affect our trees,” said Isabel Lopez.
Homeowners like Isabel Lopez are being warned to clear the way for eradication.
Lopez showed up at this meeting with Ag specialists after receiving a letter about the treatment. It also went to about 50 of her neighbors in Strathmore, where two of the insects where discovered.
“I know it's a threatening situation but I feel that they're taking care of it,” said Lopez.
Alfredo Sanchez and his team are on the front lines… applying treatment to the soil.
“This is strictly going on the foliage and into the soil; if there's any windows close to trees, [homeowners] can close the windows,” said Alfredo Sanchez.
Growers are also preparing for a roughly 20-mile radius quarantine to stop the insects from spreading.
Experts emphasize the fruit is still safe to pick and eat.
"We're very concerned and it is moving up through southern California and so it's important now that we have a handful of them to eradicate them quickly,” said Tulare County Ag. Commissioner Marilyn Kinoshita.
Ag officials say they plan to announce the quarantine perimeter this week.
