WSDA Placing Apple Maggot Traps

The Washington State Department of Agriculture will be placing between 10-11,000 apple maggot traps around Eastern Washington this month.

Pest Program Manager for WSDA Jim Marra said it’s about gathering data.

“The purpose of the traps is to detect any expansion of the apple maggot into the pest-free areas.”

Apple growers should be aware of the quarantine boundaries, but they can also contact the WSDA if they want to be part of the certification process for export purposes.

Marra said that this work is critical to the trade of Washington apples around the world.

“Let our trading partners know that when apples are being exported from a particular area of Washington State, it is pest free. The apple maggot is a regulated pest.”

The traps will be around until September. For more information, contact the WSDA at 1-800-443-6684.

If you have a story idea for the Washington Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail krounce@cherrycreekradio.com.