The Mediterranean Fruit Fly (Medfly) infestation has caused State of Florida Department of Agriculture officials to remove all fruit from a zone in East Delray Beach and East Boca Raton, Florida.

All fruit is being removed from any type of fruit related plant or tree in the Eastern sections of both cities State Agriculture officials advised. The fruit fly impact is a great concern for fruit growers not only in South Florida, but in all of the US. These fruit flies have to be stopped.

Residents so far have been cooperative as teams of State Agriculture Department employees have been showing up all over the neighborhoods and removing all fruit from trees. Many neighbors are disheartened as this is currently mango season. All mangoes, limes, papaya’s, oranges, everything is being removed.

This hearkens to the days of the citrus canker and the removal of all of the citrus trees.

The East Delray Beach medflys found have also complicated issues. These flies are separate from the East Boca Raton fruit flies in that they are in an isolated area which was 3 miles from the Boca infestation. How did the fruit fly’s get over to Delray? That is a major concern for the State Department of Agriculture.