LAKEPORT >> Citing concerns over the introduction of new and exotic pests, the Lake County Agricultural Commissioner’s office announced plans for an extensive trapping program.
The Pest Detection program is a comprehensive insect trapping effort to detect pests before they become established. Traps will be placed, starting May 1 and monitored throughout the county until the end of October.
The office will be examining traps for the presence of exotic pests such as Mediterranean Fruit Fly, Oriental Fruit Fly, Melon Fruit Fly, Gypsy Moth and Japanese Beetle. These exotic insect pests are difficult and costly to manage once they have been established.
In addition, the Agricultural Commissioner staff will be placing traps in vineyards for the European Grapevine Moth and a limited number of traps for Vine Mealybug. In a statement released Tuesday the office urged grape growers to place traps within their vineyards for Vine Mealybug and bring them to the A office to be inspected by staff members.
For more information on the trapping program or to inquire about Vine Mealybug traps please contact the Agricultural Commissioner’s office at (707) 263-0217.
