Much of Los Gatos is in the Quarantine Zone for the Light Brown Apple Moth: What Does That Mean to You?

Recently I was suprised to learn that there is a quarantine map (click on the image to enlarge it) for most of Santa Clara County, and it includes most of Los Gatos, Saratoga, Monte Sereno and Almaden Valley too, for the Light Brown Apple Moth treatment plan.

What does the quarantine mean?

For most of us, it means that produce (your homegrown fruits and vegetables) can't move around within the zone. In Los Gatos, if you are northeast of Saratoga Los Gatos Road (Highway 9) or Kennedy Road, it means that you cannot share produce from your garden with your neighbors. (Please see the link above for the exact map boundaries.) That is, unless you've cooked or canned it or otherwise rendered it no-longer-fresh. In many neighborhoods, it's the norm for neighbors to share some of their excess fruits and vegetables with friends and neighbors, so this is counter-intuitive.

So don't share your garden fresh produce beyond your property boundaries this year if you're "in the zone". A recent article by the San Jose Mercury explains why this is so risky, so if this is news to you, as it was to me, have a look.