Fruit fly outbreak puts parts of south Miami-Dade under quarantine

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – Agriculture officials have placed 85 miles of land in Miami-Dade County under quarantine because of the oriental fruit fly.

The quarantine zone stretches from about Southwest 104th Street to 272nd Street and from 147th Avenue to 237th Avenue. Growers there are being asked not to ship or move any fruits or plants until they consult with officials.

Local 10 News was told that the flies have been discovered in one area in the Redlands, another near Kendall and in an area by the airport.

Officials said the outbreak of the flies is aggressive and has the potential to affect about 95 percent of the crops grown in south Miami-Dade County, including avocados and mangoes, which would take a huge toll on the local economy.

Officials said they put bait spray on phone poles and set small traps to capture the pests. There are 56,000 traps in the state of Florida, and officials said more are scheduled to be set in areas where the flies were most recently found.

The appearance of the flies comes at a crucial time for growers, the middle of avocado season and as farmers start planting winter crops.

Anyone who has questions is asked to call 888-397-1517.

Follow Local 10 News on Twitter @WPLGLocal10