Strawberry and caneberry growers should be reminded that the CDFA-USDA regulatory program for light brown apple moth is still regnant in Santa Cruz and north Monterey counties this year and we should all be taking steps to reduce numbers of this pest in the production fields.  I communicated with Rick McKay, head of the USDA-APHIS regulatory effort for this area, and he assured me the program will be active again in 2013 in the same way it was active last year, at least until September 30.    

Pheromone based twist ties are a good way to reduce LBAM numbers in fields, especially in raspberries and blackberries since the ties are attached to the trellis with very little effort and time.  The twist ties are still available through the Santa Cruz County Agricultural Commissioner at 763-8080.  There are still quite a few left, and a quick call to the distributor Pacific Biocontrol Corporation reassured me that these ties, which were received in 2010, are still viable since they are being stored in a cooler and are in their original packaging.  These twist ties cost nothing and give growers a good measure of protection against LBAM infestation and the accompanying regulation.