Citrus at home: recommendations for preventing pests

Mendoza is a prominent agricultural province in Argentina, recognized for its wine production and a considerable volume of fruits and vegetables. Although economically important agricultural activity in Mendoza's countryside slows down during the winter, the presence of citrus trees in urban and suburban areas poses a risk. This was reported by the province's Ministry of Production .

In this context, it was explained that many fruit and citrus trees planted for ornamental purposes lack adequate phytosanitary programs. Unbeknownst to their owners, these trees become the perfect refuge for the Mediterranean fruit fly to complete its life cycle. It is important to remember that this pest represents a serious economic threat to the province due to the damage it can cause to agricultural production.

"The Mediterranean fruit fly is a polyphagous species, capable of affecting more than 250 types of fruits and vegetables," explained the Ministry of Production . They added that the pest easily adapts to diverse environmental conditions. Therefore, interrupting its cycle during the colder months is essential for its containment.

In this context, it's important to harvest and consume all citrus fruits, such as oranges, tangerines, grapefruits, and kumquats, in winter. As part of the #HarvestYourCitrus initiative, recipe books have been created that include various preserves, among other preparations, thus promoting their use.

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If the tree owners are unable to harvest all the citrus fruits, the Iscamen Phytosanitary Brigades provide a free fruit removal service. For more details, please call 0800 666 4722 (for Greater Mendoza) or visit the nearest Iscamen branch in the province.

The Ministry of Production and Iscamen also developed an informational material aimed at raising awareness about the importance of pest management for agricultural production. The document highlights the actions Mendoza implements in large areas for phytosanitary control and emphasizes the key role of citizens in prevention, through simple practices such as citrus harvesting.