A device known as the Yellow Panel Sticky Trap is the only measure other than human inspection that assists in detection of the sharpshooters. While the traps cannot be placed on shipments arriving in Yolo County, they are used in areas that are already infested to prevent the pests from spreading to other areas around California. The traps rely on the mild attraction sharpshooters have to the color yellow, in order to lure them into the trap. Paulsen, however, said he feels human inspection is more efficient for detection. For us, the trap is a secondary precaution.
Visual checks are the best defense.
All California counties are currently participating in prevention programs through the California Department of Food and Agriculture in order to prevent further spreading of crop infestation. The severe infestation in Southern California is of great concern to Northern California growers due to the vast number of plants exported from the southern region to the north. This decision from the federal government follows Gov. Gray Davis' request of the emergency declaration. Two main CDFA task forces will receive some of the federal funding in order to lead the fight against the pest. Short term goals for the agency revolve around prevention through control, rather than research in the lab.