MEXICAN FRUIT FLY HOLD NOTICES

About the Program

Category: Information Technology (Best in Category)

Year: 2023

The Mexican fruit fly (Mexfly) is an invasive pest that threatens the agricultural production of more than 50 fruit types in San Diego County and across the United States. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) reports that losses caused by Mexfly establishment could cost an estimated $1.44 billion over five years. During a Mexfly quarantine, federal, state, and county agencies work together to eliminate the pest and to prevent any larva from leaving the quarantine area. The San Diego County Department of Agriculture, Weights and Measures (AWM) is responsible for inspecting fruit tree nurseries, holding potentially infested pots with soil and removing fruit that can be a carrier, and coordinating and reporting on progress with the other partner agencies. AWM consolidated paperwork, created a tracking database and automated reporting to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of quarantine operations. By taking and combining existing reports in a format that both partner agencies could use, we reduced the number of forms from seven to three and created a searchable database. The consolidated reporting system reduced the time needed to report out by about 30 minutes per day or two and a half hours per week.