Bloem said SIR has a complete and updated list of names and addresses of residents who have removed infested fruit. It shouldn't be a hard task to find the hold-outs. There have been problems - more our fault than theirs. He said more than 500 people have opted for replacement trees, and estimates 500 to 1,000 more have removed their fruit to buy discounted fruit. We've had good cooperation.
People are willing to pitch in and do their jobs.
That makes it easier for us and a lot less confrontational. However, Bloem will know better after Thursday how cooperative the public has been. But he believes the message is getting out to tree owners, especially those with one or two trees in the yard. It's the people with six more trees that may have problems, he said, noting it takes more time to look after the trees. They're also interested in keeping the fruit.