The highest number of citrus trees infected by an incurable disease in Southern California are located in Pico Rivera, according to officials from the California Citrus Pest and Disease Prevention Committee.

In the past three months, almost a quarter of the 254 Huanglongbing- (HLB) infected trees have been found on private properties in between Beverly Boulevard and Washington Boulevard, south of the Rio Hondo Channel and north of the San Gabriel River, CCPDPC officials said .

The first HLB positive tree in Pico Rivera was detected in August 2017. Since then, there have been 61 HLB positive trees found in Pico Rivera alone.

“Most of the trees are found in yards of single-family homes,” said Ken Pellman, spokesman for the County of Los Angeles Agricultural Commissioner‘s office.

“Once the trees are infected, they need to be cut down because they are eventually going to die,” he said. “There is no cure for the disease.”

HLB is spread when a pest called the Asian citrus psyllid feeds on citrus tree leaves.

The disease cannot be transmitted to humans or animals, Pellman said.

Residents with citrus trees on their property should:

Cooperate with agriculture officials who are in the community and inspecting citrus trees for the Asian citrus psyllid and HLB.

Not move homegrown citrus plants, fruit or material off of your property, which may unknowingly spread the pest.

The real danger of the disease spreading via the psyllid, a winged-insect the size of a grain of rice, is to commercial grows.

The insect, which pierces into the vascular system of the tree, spreads a bacteria, not a virus, Pellman said.

“A whole industry could be affected,” he said.

Whole fresh fruit crops would be diminished and costs to consumers would rise.

Diseased trees have been found and removed from the following cities: Cerritos, Hacienda Heights, Rosemead, San Gabriel, Whittier, Anaheim, Fullerton, Garden Grove, La Habra and Riverside.

“Every tree that’s proven to be infected will be removed by the state with no cost to property owners,” Pellman said.

Those with citrus trees on their property should look for the following:

Strange-looking leaves.

Fruit is misshapen, not growing right.

Bitter-tasting fruit.

Anyone who suspects their trees may be infected can call the California Department of Food and Agriculture at 1-800-491-1899 for information and assistance.