Area Where 11 Medflies Are Found to Be Sprayed

GRANADA HILLS — Agricultural inspectors discovered 11 male Medflies in a Granada Hills neighborhood Tuesday and will spray malathion and release sterile flies in the area, an agricultural official said.

The flies were found in several back-yard traps near Hayvenhurst Avenue and Index Street, within four miles of where two female fruit flies were discovered July 15, said Larry Hawkins, spokesman for the Mediterranean Fruit Fly Project.

Beginning Thursday, workers will spray malathion on fruit trees and other plants within a 200-yard radius of where the flies were found, Hawkins said. Next week, officials will release thousands of sterile Medflies. By mating with wild flies, the sterile flies prevent them from reproducing.

Federal, state and local agricultural officials are also making plans to establish a quarantine zone, from which residents will be forbidden to remove fresh fruits and vegetables. In the meantime, Hawkins urged residents not to take home-grown fruits and vegetables out of the neighborhood.