Hot spots
The following locations are ‘hot spots’ from which new Queensland Fruit Fly (QFF) populations will, if not managed, spread later in the season. These sites are in urban locations and include:
- 2 sites in Barooga
- 1 site in Cobram
- 3 sites in Echuca
- 2 sites in Kyabram
- 1 site in Mooroopna
- 1 site in Numurkah
- 1 site in Yarrawonga
If QFF in these spots are not managed effectively they will spread from these sites into the rest of the region immediately surrounding them. After that, newer generations will emerge from these flies and they too will spread in a ripple effect further out into commercial crops nearby in autumn – just when most commercial crops in the GMV ripen. Project Field Officers are currently deployed to assist landholders reduce QFF populations in these areas.
Home gardeners and property owners are reminded that responsibility for ownership and management of fruit trees and vegetables sits with them.
Are you committed?
Government authorities and commercial growers are committed to stopping the spread of fruit fly on land they own or manage. What are you doing to prevent fruit fly infesting the fruit trees and vegetables in your home garden?
Everyone can enjoy their own fresh produce if you make the commitment to stop the spread of fruit fly in your garden, but remember, it involves more than hanging a trap in a fruit tree. A fruit fly trap is primarily a monitoring device to alert you to the presence of fruit fly in your garden.
Be sure you recognise what a QFF looks like. Inspect your fruit and vegetables for sting marks and dispose of infested and fallen fruit correctly (put into closed plastic bag and ‘cook’ it in the sun for 5-7 days to kill the maggots before placing in your bin). Netting is the single most effective measure to prevent QFF stinging your fruit and vegetables. Fruit Fly baiting can dramatically reduce QFF populations if done correctly.
Your trees should be pruned to a manageable height so you can pick all the fruit. Pick your fruit early, don’t leave it to over-ripen or rot on your trees. For more information, pick up a Fruit Fly information pack from your local council or contact the GMV Regional Fruit Fly office.
Quit if you can’t commit
If you have fruit trees that you do not want or find difficult to manage, apply to have them removed free of charge. Simply fill out the form in the information pack and have your unwanted fruit trees removed free of charge
