Citrus Quarantine

To help protect the California citrus we love, there are a handful of rules and regulations in place, including Huanglongbing (HLB) quarantine, which places limits on the transport and movement of citrus plants and materials to prevent the spread of the deadly disease. According to the Citrus Pest & Disease Prevention Program, HLB has only been found in parts of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties. There have been no known detections of HLB in Chino Hills; however, Chino Hills is placed within the quarantine zone.

What is HLB

  • HLB (Huanglongbing) is a fatal citrus disease caused by a bacteria spread through the Asian citrus psyllid (ACP), a small insect about the size of a grain of rice.
  • While not harmful to humans, the disease kills citrus trees and is not treatable.

While Chino Hills remains within the state-designated HLB quarantine zone, there have been no confirmed detections of HLB in our City. This means residents do not have infected trees, but regulations still apply to protect the broader region.

Protect Your Citrus Trees

The best way to protect citrus trees from HLB is to stop the ACP. Once a tree is infected with HLB, it will die. Diseased trees need to be removed in order to protect other citrus trees on the property, neighbors' trees, and the community's citrus. View photos and learn how to detect the ACP and HLB on your citrus tree. If you think you have spotted the pest or disease, call the free statewide pest hotline at 800-491-1899. 

The Citrus Pest & Disease Prevention Program recommends these tips to protect citrus trees:

  • Inspect trees for the ACP and HLB monthly, and whenever watering, spraying, pruning, or tending trees. If the disease is spotted, call the CDFA hotline at 800-491-1899 immediately.
  • Do not move citrus plants, leaves, or foliage into or out of the quarantine area or across state or international borders, keep it local.
  • As part of tree care, visit your local nursery or garden center to get advice on products that can help protect citrus trees from the ACP.
  • When planting a new citrus tree, be sure to get your tree from a reputable, licensed nursery in your local area.
  • Be sure to dry out citrus tree clippings or double-bag them before removing plant material from the property.

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