Citrus Canker

Most of us have heard about citrus canker over the last couple of years but know little about it except that we might lose the fruit tree in our backyard. Currently, Miami-Dade and Broward counties are Citrus Canker Quarantine Areas. This means numerous changes in how we deal with citrus and citrus trees on our properties. The quarantine could go on for years. Every property within the quarantine area must be surveyed for infected trees. Once all infected and possibly infected trees have been destroyed, surveys will be conducted until there have been no canker finds for two years.

During this time, all residents need to follow some simple but very important rules. One of the main reasons residents must be careful is that the bacteria that causes citrus canker can be easily spread by people unknowingly by moving citrus products. By accepting or giving homegrown citrus fruit to friends and neighbors, you could be spreading the canker to previously unexposed trees. Containment of the citrus canker bacteria is the only way to stop the spread and destruction of citrus trees in our area. Please read the following rules and check out the listed websites.

1. Within quarantine areas, rules prohibit the movement of homegrown citrus fruit, citrus plants or citrus plant material off of a resident's property. This means that no citrus peels, uneaten citrus fruit, citrus leaves, branches or other citrus debris that are homegrown should be moved from your property without proper precautions. Please call the Citrus Canker Hotline (1-800-850-3781) for more information.
2. Planting new citrus plants is prohibited in quarantine zones.
3. Do not use a lawn maintenance provider that is not under a compliance agreement with the State. All lawn maintenance companies are required to be under a compliance agreement with the state, which outlines decontamination procedures. Residents should look for a decal in the driver's-side windshield of the vehicle to confirm that their lawn service provider has signed the compliance agreement. Lawn maintenance companies should be decontaminating personnel and equipemnt when arriving at and departing homeowner's properties.

Anyone with questions about quarantine zones can call the Citrus Canker Eradication Program Helpline at 1-800-850-3781 or visit the website at http://doacs.state.fl.us/canker.