Tonight’s Medfly Spraying

Under a revamped schedule announced last week by state agriculture officials, a 36-sqare-mile area of central and northern Orange County is to get its latest malathion application tonight, beginning at 9 p.m.

The spray zone, which includes virtually all of Garden Grove, half o Westminster and parts of seven other neighboring cities, is scheduled to be hit the next two Wednesdays as well, on May 23 and May 30. High winds or bad weather could prompt postponement.

State officials had promised to end spraying in the area by May 9 but retreated from that schedule last week in the face of the new Medlfy finds around the Southland and other complications. This time, however, they assert that May 30 will in fact be the last spraying for Garden Grove unless new flies are found there.

Residents are advised to stay indoors during the spraying nd bring pets inside, cover cars and back-yard fishponds, and hose down patio furniture and other outdoor equipment after the spraying. Those with questions can call the county’s Medfly hotline at (714) 447-7118.