Like HLB for citrus, Pierce’s Disease is a death sentence for grapevines. The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Pierce’s Disease Control Program includes Urban and Grid Trapping (Detection), Residential Treatment, GWSS Nursery & Bulk Citrus Compliance, and Commercial Citrus Treatment Reimbursement. While total GWSS trap detections were down 33% to the same time last year and 83% lower than in 2020, we must continue preventative treatments to avoid crop losses and county infestations.
If trap detections indicate GWSS populations near your citrus acreage, a Treatment Coordinator will contact you to discuss treatment options. While GWSS may not impact citrus quality unless they are in very high numbers1, GWSS detections could result in quarantines that would delay harvest. To avoid any interruptions and possible additional costs to harvest, please comply with treatment recommendations. Following an assessment from a Treatment Coordinator, USDA, through CDFA and the County, will offer reimbursement funds to commercial citrus growers on a per-acre basis if approved GWSS treatment pesticides are applied. Reimbursements will cover both material and application costs to citrus growers.
If you are contacted by a Treatment Coordinator with treatment options, please be a part of the solution and implement treatment recommendations to prevent Pierce’s Disease from infecting California grape vineyards.
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