Agricultural Response

Three Corpsmembers with extension poles work to remove pests from fruit trees

Corpsmembers inspect and remove fruit from an orchard to minimize breeding grounds during a Mexican Fruit Fly Emergency.

Working under the direction of the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), the CCC has responded to numerous pest infestations throughout California, assisting with eradication efforts.

Some pest infestations, such as the Mediterranean fruit fly (Medfly), require CCC crews to work within residential communities- going door-to-door removing and disposing of infected fruit or performing very careful visual inspections of vegetation.

If an infestation is found, the CCC works closely with the CDFA which directs and guides crews. On several occasions, CCC crews constructed thousands of incubation containers used to trap and identify Medflies and stop their spread.

Other pest infestations that the CCC has responded to include:

  • Mexican fruit fly
  • Gypsy moth
  • Light brown apple moth
  • White fly
  • Red imported fire ants
  • Glassy-winged sharpshooter
  • Yellow jacket

CCC crews also combat agricultural diseases. In 2003, Corpsmembers helped halt the spread of the deadly Exotic Newcastle Disease affecting all species of birds, including poultry, in Southern California. This labor intensive work required the location and removal of poultry and birds.