What is that yellow trap in my tree?
-
James Campbell
-
If they don't get dirty, the traps stay sticky for about a month. Photo: California Department of Food and Agriculture
Allison shared that the 611 yellow panel traps placed and monitored around Marin County throughout the year are a cooperative effort between the Marin County Department of Agriculture and the California Department of Food and Agriculture. The pests targeted by these yellow traps are the Glassy-winged sharpshooter, which is monitored from March through October, and the Asian citrus psyllid, which is monitored from October through March.
You probably have noticed that traps seem to appear out of nowhere, they can also disappear, and that is because they get repositioned during the season to be sure a broad sampling is taken. Typically, a county trapper will knock on the homeowner's door to let them know they are placing a trap on or near a host plant. If contact cannot be made this way, the county trapper will set the trap in the front yard and leave the homeowner a letter notifying them of the trap placement, the trap type, and the location of the host plant. County trappers will never enter the backyards of properties without prior permission from the homeowner. Still, they may place a trap into or near a backyard from a front or side yard access or from a sidewalk.
The glassy-winged sharpshooter is a major threat to our wine industry. Photo: UC RegentsAsian citrus psyllids should be left on the tree and reported to the Marin County agricultural commissioner. Photo: UC RegentsAllison added that the pest trapping and monitoring that the county conducts with the state is not our only line of defense. The County of Marin Department of Agriculture inspectors also conduct incoming plant quarantines. Plant shipments are monitored at retail and wholesale nurseries, aquatic supply stores, and FedEx and UPS. Of the 14,287 plant inspections performed in 2022, one hundred and eight were rejected.
We must remain vigilant about these invasive pests. It is a matter of when, not if, they will arrive in Marin County.