citrus canker mastheadLandscapers:  Help Prevent the Spread of Citrus Canker

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Citrus canker, a highly contagious plant disease, has recently been detected in Indian River & St. Lucie counties. This disease causes lesions on the fruit, leaves and stems of citrus. There is no known cure for citrus canker. It is not harmful to humans, but affects the health and vitality of citrus trees. If you or your employees are working within a citrus canker detected area we urge you to help stop this problem from spreading by:

 √  Making sure that you and your employees are aware of the citrus canker problem.

 √  Properly decontaminating all landscape workers and equipment upon arrival and departure from a citrus canker detected area.

 √  Not pruning or touching citrus within a canker detected area, especially during wet periods.

 √  Removing all fruit leaves and stems from equipment that has entered a canker-detected area.

√  Covering all grass, tree, and plant clippings originating within a canker detected area that is to be transported to the county landfill.

 √  Not removing any citrus plant material in any form (fruit, leaves, and stems, whole plants from a property within a canker-detected area).

 √  Washing landscape work uniforms in a hot water cycle with laundry soap as soon as possible following outdoor work around citrus trees within a canker detected area.

Decontamination of Personnel Procedure: All persons should disinfect hands, arms and any other parts of the body including clothing that have contacted citrus within a canker-detected area. It is important to understand that you need a product for use on both clothing AND skin. Here are some approved personnel decontaminants for Use on Both Clothing & Skin:

* GX-1027 Antimicrobial Soap          * Canker Guard    *Triple Crown Super Healer            * Eco Care 360    *Csan 154 QT soap

Decontamination of Equipment Procedure: Equipment and vehicle surfaces (including undercarriages) should be washed and then decontaminated. It is suggested that you look for less corrosive product. Approved equipment decontaminants include:

* Canker-Solv Reduced Corrosion            *  Oxidate   * SAN-O-256

Approved decontamination products can be purchased through these local distributors:

Helena Chemical Company    1520 North Shinn Road    Fort Pierce   (772) 464 – 8660

Pro Source One    7361 Commercial Circle    Fort Pierce  (772) 466-6607

Diamond R    4100 Glades Cutoff Rd.    Fort Pierce   (772) 464-9300


For more information on how you can prevent the spread of citrus canker, contact your local UF/IFAS County Extension Agent:

County Seal

Ed Skvarch  772-462-1660      Dan Culbert 863-763-6469  Christine Kelly 772-770-5030
Trade names, where used, are given for the purpose of providing specific information. They do not constitute an endorsement or guarantee of products named, nor does it imply criticism of products not named. The Florida Cooperative Extension Service - Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer authorized to provide research, educational information, and other services to individuals and institutions that function without regard to race, color, sex, age, handicap, or national origin.   Florida Cooperative Extension Service / IFAS / University of Florida .  Larry A.  Arrington, Dean This page is maintained by  Dan Culbert   Hit Counter