Provided by Dr. Marion Fuller
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS)

Report Dated 06/02/98

Bradenton

Ground application continues, as does fruit stripping in the area.

Sterile fly release continued today - in the area surrounding the proposed treatment area.

A public meeting has been scheduled at the Manatee County Civic Center, for 7:00 pm tomorrow evening (Thursday June4). The Civic Center is on US 41, just north of the Manatee River, at the intersection of US 41 and Haben Boulevard. The purpose is to update the public on the status of eradication effort, including possible aerial bait applications. We are still awaiting EPA's decision regarding aerial bait treatments.

If aerial spraying is approved, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services will be recommending the following general guidelines:

• Stay indoors during spraying.
• Skylights and awnings should be covered or washed off after spraying.
• Rinse off fruit and vegetables with water.
• Cover or hose off picnic tables.
• Do not leave laundry hanging outside during the spraying.
• Automobiles, if left outside, should be washed off.
• If someone comes into contact with the bait, exposed skin surfaces should be washed with soap and water.
• Cover shallow fish ponds during the treatment, being sure to remove the cover as soon as the treatment is complete.
• Turn over pet bowls which are outside or cover them.

Environmental monitoring: FDACS met with DEP/Tampa personnel to identify sensitive environmental sites in the treatment area. As in Umatilla, and all other previous eradication programs, FDACS, DEP and USDA personnel are cooperating to provide maximum amount of environmental monitoring and minimize duplication of effort. DEP will conduct biological monitoring of certain water bodies - FDACS and USDA will be monitoring surface water bodies, and evaluating the efficacy of buffered areas surrounding sensitive sites. (Thanks DEP/Tampa!)

Health Monitoring: FDACS and Manatee/DOH continue to work together to ensure callers are provided accurate information when either line is called.

If you recieve calls, please refer those which concern the impact of malathion on HUMAN HEALTH to the MANATEE/DOH at 941-748-0747 ext 1340.

Please refer all calls concerning the Medfly (it's biology, impact on Florida crops, economy, citizens), calls concerning the application of the bait (when, where etc); and all calls concerning the impact of malathion on the environment and non target species to the FDACS HELPLINE at 1-888-397-1517.

Personnel in both Departments are working diligently to ensure that all callers are treated courteously, respectfully, and that their calls are answered by the appropriate agency. If you should encounter difficulties please let me know!

Umatilla

A sixth aerial treatment is planned for this weekend, pending EPA approval.

3,999 traps have been deployed - 3203 Jacksons, 540 yellow panels, 206 McPhails, and 50 IPTs.

Environmental monitoring: No report

Health Monitoring: No report

Once again - many thanks to DOH, Manatee/DOH, and DEP/Tampa for their assistance and patience as we move into this phase of the eradication program.

FDACS - Division of Plant Industy: Mediterranean fruit fly information
USDA APHIS: Mediterranean fruit fly information
UF/IFAS Fact Sheet ENY-809: The Mediterranean Fruit Fly
UF/IFAS Fact Sheet ENY-626: Mediterranean Fruit Fly: What Floridians Need To Know