From: Dr. Marion Fuller
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Reported dated April 29, 1998
Unfortunately, we have detected additional flies in Umatilla, Florida. A last count it was 47, which was in a single trap, with other flies visible in the area (not in a trap proper). Larvae are also present. We have a serious infestation, and traps are in place to determine the areal extent - if this is confined to single "hot spot" or whether we have multiple sites.
At this point, we are looking at a very high likelihood for chemical application, and it is my opinion that it will likely be malathion. Aerial application is also a likelihood, given the number of flies at this site. My understanding at this point is that we're anticipating a treatment area of about 12 square miles.
For those of you new to this, the malathion is applied in a protein bait/ attractant mixture - which is 20% malathion, 80% bait. The application rate is 12 oz of bait mixture per acre, which translates to 2.4 oz. of malathion per acre. For toxicity to occur, the flies must ingest the malathion-bait mixture. It does not function as a contact insecticide. While impacts to beneficial can be anticipated, they too, must ingest the mixture. As far as birds and mammals are concerned, malathion at this rate should have no adverse impacts. Fish, however are more vulnerable, and adverse effects (fish kills) are possible if there is direct application to shallow water bodies, or in environments where fish are already stressed (e.g. low O2). We will have materials available for distribution to the public to help educate everyone.
At this point in time, here are the things we can anticipate. Please bear with me though - things can change very rapidly, as more information comes in. We will do our best to keep everyone informed. Both the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are significant players, and the communications logistics are occasionally difficult. What follows is based on our previous experience, but this one may go differently, so bear that in mind as you inform others in your agency.
Aerial application is under consideration. Local governments are being contacted (County or City Commissioners, Mayor, etc). We anticipate a public meeting possibly as early as tomorrow evening - perhaps Friday/Friday evening. The purpose of the meeting will be to let citizens know what is going on, to explain about the Medfly, the economic impacts, the eradication processes, etc. We would like this meeting to occur before any aerial application.
A command center will be set up as soon as possible. We'll let you know its location as soon as we get it. We will install hotline for information - set up fax machines, etc.
Daily, perhaps twice daily media briefings, probably at the command Center. We expect a high level of media attention, particularly if aerial application is employed.
In the event of chemical application, there will be a 24-hour public notification. For ground application, the property owner may waive that notification and allow application immediately (this may be considered for this "hot spot") For aerial application, if employed - media: local papers, radio stations, and tv. will be used to inform the general public of the anticipated application schedules. Applications are weather dependent. If certain amounts of rainfall are expected, application will be delayed (again, we will get you more details later). Aerial application will have logistical challenges, as it pertains to establishing buffers around "significant water bodies" . We will be working with the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to determine what those water bodies or other particularly sensitive areas are. Ground application may occur in those buffer zones - that will depend on accessibility, number of residential properties needing treatment, etc. Again we need more information before we can give you specifics.
Applications will take place at approximately 7 day intervals, over 1 - 2 life cycles. Sterile insects may also be used at some point, but we expect at least one - two life cycles of chemical application (21-28 day life cycle, depending on weather/temperature.)
We will get anticipated treatment area maps to you as soon as possible. USDA will take baseline (preapplication) environmental samples (for chemical analysis) before every application; and after every application to monitor residue concentrations. We will be working with DEP-Orlando District, any local environmental agency, DACS and USDA to supplement this monitoring as agencies resources allow.
The Department of Health will establish an information number for human health related questions concerning malathion, probably tomorrow. It may be the local Health Department (Lake County), possibly Poison Information. Please be sure to direct all health questions to that number.
We will be releasing data / information regularly. It is important to keep the public and each other informed. In Tampa and Miami Springs this was handled at the press briefings. Fly counts, environmental monitoring data, etc are all likely points of interest.
FDACS - Division of Plant Industy:
Mediterranean fruit fly information
USDA APHIS: Mediterranean fruit fly information
UF/IFAS Fact Sheet ENY-626:
Mediterranean Fruit Fly: What Floridians Need To Know
UF/IFAS Fact Sheet ENY-809:
The Mediterranean Fruit Fly