HLB and Florida's Citrus Future

A recent Florida TaxWatch report detailed the reasons for the decline of the Florida citrus industry. The report also described frustrations with efforts to combat citrus greening and suggested solutions for the industry's decline. Edited excerpts from that portion of the report follow:      

Prominent citrus growers stated they are still optimistic about the future as many citrus entities are investing in the industry.

There have been many short-term solutions to combat citrus greening: growing trees in giant canopies to keep insects out but still allow sunlight and rain through, developing new blight-resistant citrus trees, injecting greening-resistant genes into citrus trees, and using push-pull pest management to lure pests to trap crops.

A majority of researchers believe that the only long-term solution is a new variety of citrus that is resistant to citrus greening disease. However, the use of genetic engineering in citrus production is still an ongoing debate in the citrus industry.

Most of these methods require a high investment, which many citrus growers in Florida cannot afford. The Florida citrus industry is at a critical period for survival, requiring strategic planting of citrus, scientific revitalization and increased awareness of citrus production requirements.

High investment costs present a significant hurdle for many growers. To overcome these challenges, the industry must focus on:

• Strategic replanting and infrastructure rebuilding
• Increased awareness of citrus production needs
• Continued scientific research for sustainable solutions

Preserving Florida's citrus legacy demands immediate and collaborative action to balance innovation with tradition.

Florida TaxWatch is an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit taxpayer research institute and government watchdog. Its mission is to provide the taxpayers of Florida and public officials with high quality, independent research and analysis of issues related to state and local government taxation, expenditures, policies and programs.

Read the full Florida TaxWatch report, The Continuing Decline of Florida's Citrus Industry, here.

Source: Florida TaxWatch

And Which Way US Citrus

The U.S. Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Services (USDA/NASS) released a citrus forecast on Jan. 10.

FLORIDA

Florida orange and grapefruit production expectations were unchanged from the December citrus forecast. The Florida orange forecast remains at 12 million boxes and grapefruit at 1.2 million boxes.

Florida non-Valencia orange final fruit size is smaller than the average, requiring 327 pieces to fill a 90-pound box. Final droppage of non-Valencia oranges (excluding Navels) at 56% is above the maximum.

Florida Valencia orange current fruit size is average and is projected to be average at harvest. Current droppage is above the maximum and projected to be above the maximum at harvest.

Fruit size of Florida red grapefruit at harvest is projected to be above the maximum, and droppage is projected to be above the maximum. Projected fruit size of Florida white grapefruit at harvest is above average. White grapefruit droppage is projected to be above the maximum.

The Florida tangerine and mandarin forecast was cut by 14%. The forecast fell from 350,000 boxes in December to 300,000 boxes in January.

The Florida lemon forecast increased from 500,000 boxes to 600,000 boxes.

If the January forecast is realized, Florida's orange, grapefruit and tangerine/mandarin production will each be 33% less than the prior season's final production. 

OTHER STATES

California's all-orange forecast was reduced from 47.7 million boxes in December to 47.4 million boxes. The California grapefruit forecast was reduced from 4.2 million boxes to 3.7 million boxes. The state's lemon and tangerine/mandarin forecast were unchanged.

Texas' all-orange forecast increased from 850,000 boxes in December to 900,000 boxes. The Texas grapefruit forecast jumped from 1.9 million boxes to 2.5 million boxes. 

See the full January citrus forecast report from USDA NASS here. The next citrus forecast will be issued on Feb. 11.

Source: USDA NASS

citrus

Rats Around

UC IPM recently hosted a webinar on rat management presented by Dr. Niamh Quinn. During this webinar attendees were able to ask the expert their burning questions about rats and their management. Below are responses to common questions from the webinar.

To view the recording of this webinar, visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IuKU6izZozo. Or visit the Pest Notes: Rats fact sheet that was recently revised by Dr. Quinn. 

Rat Identification

Q: How do I know whether I have a roof rat or a Norway rat?

A: The roof rat (also called the black rat, house rat, or ship rat) is smaller and sleeker than the Norway rat, with a tail that is longer than the head and body combined. Roof rats are agile climbers and usually live and nest aboveground in shrubs, trees, or dense vegetation such as ivy.

The Norway rat (also called the brown rat, sewer rat, or barn rat) is a burrowing rodent that is generally larger and stockier than the roof rat. Their burrows may be found along building foundations, beneath rubbish or woodpiles, and around gardens and fields.

When the two species occupy the same building, Norway rats typically occur in the basement and ground floors while roof rats occupy the upper floors and attics.

Q: How can you distinguish protected woodrats from Norway and roof rats?  

A: Like commensal rats, pack rats (woodrats) consume various food items, including fruits and nuts. An easy way to distinguish pack rats from Norway and roof rats is to visually examine their tails. Woodrats have furry tails, while commensal rodents have scaly and mostly hairless tails. 

Trapping

Q: Should you wear disposable gloves when handling rat traps? 

A: Human scent is not known to have any impact on rat trapping but since rats can carry diseases, it would be best to wear gloves when handling used traps. You should always wear gloves when handling dead rats.

Q: What is pre-baiting and why should you do it when using toxic baits? 

A: Pre-baiting means placing bait in the trap without setting the trigger of the trap. Since rats are neophobic (afraid of new things) doing this will allow them to get more comfortable approaching the trap to get the food or other item (cotton, etc.). Pre-bait for 5 days or so and then set the trap to catch the rodent. 

Q: Can rat traps be reused? 

A: Depending on the type of trap purchased, some are meant to be reused while others are single use. Snap traps, for example, can be used over and over again.   

Q: How can you secure or anchor down rat traps? 

A: Rat traps should be secured down to effectively catch rats and find the traps later. They can be screwed into a piece of wood, such as 2x4 lumber, which you can reuse and easily move traps to new management areas. Putty or tape can also work.   

Q: How can you prevent wildlife from being harmed while trying to manage rats?  

A: Trap rats at nighttime when songbirds are not active to prevent them from being caught in traps. When using toxic baits, place them in bait stations to make them less accessible to wildlife.

Q: What should you do with live-trapped rats? 

A: Live-trapped rats must be humanely euthanized or released immediately in the area where they were trapped. Releasing rats is not recommended, as they will continue to cause damage. Animals can be humanely euthanized by a shot to the head if it is legal to discharge a firearm in the trapped area or a firm blow to the head. Drowning is not an acceptable method of euthanasia, and it is illegal under California State law.  

Repellents and toxic baits

Q: What can be used to deter or repel rats? I've heard of using coyote urine, mint, LED lights, and ultrasonic devices.  

A: No plants have been proven to deter rats from an area and high frequency ultrasonic sounds are not effective for controlling rats in homes and gardens. Human or coyote urine or scent do not repel rats.  

Q: Can homemade mixtures be used to manage rats?  

A: Only registered pesticide products can be used to manage rats.You should not try to create your own toxic baits at home with household ingredients. 

Prevention and other management methods

Q: How can you prevent rats from chewing wires in vehicles and other powered equipment?  

A: Use a weighted car cover to dissuade rodents from accessing the engine and chewing wires. To be effective, the cover must touch the ground, forming a seal all around the vehicle.  

Q: Can predators like owls, hawks, or cats effectively manage rats?  

A: Predators, especially cats and owls, eat rats and mice. However, predators in general cannot significantly control animals that are good colonizers and prolific reproducers (of which rats are extremely good examples!). Furthermore, if cats or other would-be predators are fed outdoors, their food serves as a strong attractant and a continuous food source for rats and mice in the area. 

Q: What can home gardeners do to keep rats out of the garden? 

A: Sanitation is fundamental to rat control and must be ongoing. Keep pipes, lumber, firewood, crates, boxes, gardening equipment, and other household goods off the ground. Clean up leaves and fallen fruit in backyards. Thin or remove dense vegetation, such as ivy, around or on homes. Excluding rats from garden beds is very difficult. Fencing or enclosing raised beds with wire mesh may provide some management but it is not guaranteed.  

Q: Should I even attempt to control rats in my backyard if I live in a neighborhood or community where there are lots of rats and my neighbors don't take action? 

A: Successful rat management in a neighborhood does require community-wide effort to remove harborage and food sources. But you can reduce the likelihood of rat infestations or damage to your property if you follow best management practices (i.e., sealing gaps larger than ½ inch, removing wood piles or items stored on the ground, thinning dense vegetation around homes, etc.).  

rat damage citrus bark

Interaction of Wildlife with Pests and Lemons and Avocados

Wildlife workshop Feb 21 2025

Not All Avocado Oils are as Claimed

Avocado oil has become a popular choice for many people in recent years because of its heart-healthy benefits and versatility in cooking. However, not all avocado oil products on store shelves are created equal. Some products are labeled as “pure” avocado oil when they contain other oils or additives. No enforceable standards defining the chemical and physical characteristics of avocado oil exist yet.

Researchers at the University of California, Davis, analyzed samples of 36 private label avocado oil products and graded them based on quality and purity. Private label products are made by a third-party processor and sold under a grocery store or retailer brand label. Their findings, published in the journal Food Control, show that 31% of the samples tested were pure, and 36% were of advertised quality. Quality refers to whether the oil is fresh or has gone bad due to aging, heat or light exposure. For purity, researchers measured fatty acids, sterols and other components that differentiate avocado oil from other oils.

The study included oils purchased from 19 retailers in the U.S. and Canada with various price points. They found that lower-priced oils were more likely to be tainted with other oils.

“We found that low-cost products indicate a higher probability for adulteration, but high cost didn't guarantee purity or quality,” said Selina Wang, associate professor of Cooperative Extension in the Department of Food Science and Technology. She and Hilary Green, a postdoctoral researcher at UC Davis, co-authored the paper.

Researchers also identified certain chemical markers in avocado oil that professional retail buyers can use to make more informed decisions when it comes to choosing suppliers. This way, consumers can feel confident about the products they buy.

This is the second comprehensive study conducted by UC Davis researchers on the quality of avocado oil sold in the U.S. The first study released in 2020 found that many of the test samples were of poor quality, mislabeled or adulterated with other oils.

“This study demonstrates that although progress is being made in standard development since our first market study in 2020, there are still issues with purity in avocado oil and these issues extend significantly into private label oils,” Wang said.'

https://www.ucdavis.edu/food/news/70%25-private-label-avocado-oil-rancid-or-mixed-other-oils

avocado oil

On Meds? Soon Grapefruit Might be on the Menu

New findings may help researchers develop a grapefruit devoid of compounds that affect medication levels

Grapefruit and pummelo contain compounds called furanocoumarins that may affect the blood levels of more than 100 prescription drugs, so that people taking these medications are advised to remove these fruits from their diets. Research published in New Phytologistreveals genetic information about the synthesis of furanocoumarins in different citrus plant tissues and species and provides new insights that could be used to develop grapefruit and pummelo that lack furanocoumarins.

The research indicates that the production of furanocoumarins in citrus fruit is dependent on the integrity of a single gene within a multi-gene cluster that encodes enzymes of the 2-oxoglutarate-dependent dioxygenase family.

“This research helps us to understand why fruit of certain citrus species produce furanocoumarins and demonstrates how breeders and researchers could develop furanocoumarin-free citrus varieties,” said co–corresponding author Yoram Eyal, PhD, of the Volcani Center, in Israel.

URL upon publication: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/nph.20322

grapefruit red blush

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