California goes through some kind of crisis, not being able to get rid of the apple moths, which represent a real danger to agriculture.

The sticky traps put there to capture the moths are not enough to save the crops from these destructive insects.

Employees of the California Department of Food and Agriculture began placing red twist ties in trees in neighborhoods of Cupertino, Santa Clara and San Jose on Monday. The twist ties are sprinkled with a pheromone. This chemical substance smells like female moths and its purpose is to confuse male moths, stopping them from mating. As this method is partially efficient, authorities have to fight the pest using air techniques or other land-based methods, said a team of scientists, according to San Jose Mercury News.

Although people reportedly got sick last year in Monterey and Santa Cruz counties because of the aerial spraying, it seems this is the only viable solution to terminate the moths.

The scientists tried to reassure the population regarding the health problems potentially caused by the spraying.

They are not “aware of any data suggesting aerially applied mating disruption formulations will cause any public or environmental harm,” San Jose Mercury News reports.

In the meantime, people are expected to submit any suggestion that could prove to be efficient against the moths.

“We’re happy to entertain anything that could be a viable option,” said Steve Lyle, spokesman for the California Department of Food and Agriculture.