[Dana Morgan]

The Dept. of Food and Agriculture has been setting traps in my neighborhood for many months, monitoring the Oriental Fruit Fly breeding. I have spoke to them frequently; I was notified about a month ago that an unmated female was located in my front yard lime tree. I have spoke to the crew and supervisor. On Friday, 12/18/15, my neighbors and I received pink 8 x 11 notices on our doors, saying the spraying would take place on the 20th. I DID receive a delay–at my request–because of my bees, hopefully until after the first of the year. There will be six sprays, supposedly at 7 day intervals (unless it rains), which delays the spraying. I will receive a notice for each spraying. The spraying which took place last weekend was very localized, spraying one tree at a time. The crew wore backpack sprayers to complete the process, and only sprayed trees over 5′ tall. Regarding concern for my bees; I would say, yes, they have shown concern, and my request to delay was quickly approved. My neighbor on the north and the west (across the street) had trees sprayed. I have not seen any unusual activity in my hive at this point. Fortunately, trees sprayed are either dormant or with fruit this time of year. The Dept. of Food and Ag. has put fruit fly traps in many front yard trees in my neighborhood of Westchester, the Osage neighborhood, north of Manchester, east of Sepulveda.

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