WASCO - The Asian Citrus Psyllid poses a threat to California's citrus crop.
State Senator Andy Vidak held a news conference Tuesday at a citrus orchard to discuss how Kern County is going to fight the pest.
This pest has the potential to devastate California's citrus crop and Senator Vidak wants Sacramento to fund preventative measures to ensure that doesn't happen.
One male Asian Citrus Psyllid has been found in Wasco and officials said right now their only option is to spray and hope it kills the pest.
Officials from the Kern County Agricultural Department demonstrate how they are trying to catch a dangerous pest.
"This Asian Citrus Psyllid is something that really could devastate our district, our community up and down the Central Valley. It's a $2 billion industry and we have to protect thousands and thousands of jobs," said Senator Vidak.
The pest mostly lives on citrus trees and carries a disease which makes the fruit bitter in taste and non-sellable. Senator Vidak has asked Sacramento for more money to be proactive in fighting the insect.
"Last week, we passed AB 571 up in Sacramento, and it is going to hopefully, if the governor signs it, give us another $5 million to eradicate and do more research on this pest," said Senator Vidak.
The funds will be used to introduce a Pakistani non-stinging wasp to Kern County that is a natural predator to the Asian Citrus Psyllid.
To fight the pest right now in Wasco, traditional spray chemicals will be used.
"So right now, the methods to use for eradication for this insect is to spray within an 800 meter perimeter around the find," said Ruben Arroyo, Kern County Agricultural Commissioner.
If you have a citrus tree and you think you might have the pest, call the Department of Agriculture at 868-6300.
There will also be a town hall meeting about the pest in Wasco Wednesday night. It starts at 5 p.m. at the Veterans Hall, 1202 Poplar Avenue.
State Senator Andy Vidak held a news conference Tuesday at a citrus orchard to discuss how Kern County is going to fight the pest.
This pest has the potential to devastate California's citrus crop and Senator Vidak wants Sacramento to fund preventative measures to ensure that doesn't happen.
One male Asian Citrus Psyllid has been found in Wasco and officials said right now their only option is to spray and hope it kills the pest.
Officials from the Kern County Agricultural Department demonstrate how they are trying to catch a dangerous pest.
"This Asian Citrus Psyllid is something that really could devastate our district, our community up and down the Central Valley. It's a $2 billion industry and we have to protect thousands and thousands of jobs," said Senator Vidak.
The pest mostly lives on citrus trees and carries a disease which makes the fruit bitter in taste and non-sellable. Senator Vidak has asked Sacramento for more money to be proactive in fighting the insect.
"Last week, we passed AB 571 up in Sacramento, and it is going to hopefully, if the governor signs it, give us another $5 million to eradicate and do more research on this pest," said Senator Vidak.
The funds will be used to introduce a Pakistani non-stinging wasp to Kern County that is a natural predator to the Asian Citrus Psyllid.
To fight the pest right now in Wasco, traditional spray chemicals will be used.
"So right now, the methods to use for eradication for this insect is to spray within an 800 meter perimeter around the find," said Ruben Arroyo, Kern County Agricultural Commissioner.
If you have a citrus tree and you think you might have the pest, call the Department of Agriculture at 868-6300.
There will also be a town hall meeting about the pest in Wasco Wednesday night. It starts at 5 p.m. at the Veterans Hall, 1202 Poplar Avenue.