Post-harvest hygiene
Orchard or post-harvest hygiene is necessary to help break the fruit fly cycle. Successfully cleaning up your orchard, home garden and nearby untended land of potential fruit fly host material is essential in breaking the fruit fly cycle. No fruit means no fruit fly.
Hot spot alert
A number of locations have been identified as sites of concern through the Goulburn Murray Valley regional trapping grid. The below hot spots are at the highest alert and every property owner needs to take immediate action.
• Tatura • Undera • Koonoomo
• Coomboona • Merrigum
If you live in or near the below hot spot locations extra caution and control measures are required.
• Ardmona • Cobram • Grahamvale
• Orrvale • Shepparton • Kialla
• Kyabram
Controlling fruit fly
Essential control activities include:
- Monitor traps for fruit fly population presence and build-up
- Check fruit for fruit fly infestation
- Weekly baiting
- Carry out after harvest clean-up
- Keep house gardens, creek banks, compost heaps and nearby roadsides clear
- Notify authorities of nearby untended or feral fruiting plants
- Ensure traps, lures, toxicants, approved pesticides, baits and application equipment are in supply and good condition.
Weather outlook
Fruit fly activity typically declines in late April and eggs or larvae in fruit or pupae in the ground die due to the cold, however current weather conditions suggest the fruit fly season will extend further into autumn than usual this year. Fruit fly activity in the form of mating, egg-laying and consequent fruit damage followed by adult emergence may remain significant into May if mild weather continues and there is a delay in cooler temperatures hitting.
Online community survey open
We’re asking property owners and home gardeners to share with us what they know about fruit fly by completing an online community fruit fly survey. Survey findings will help us identify opportunities to further support and educate the community about fruit fly control and management. Complete the survey and go to our Facebook page, Gmv-qldfruitfly to go in the draw to win a ‘Why Leave Town’ gift card valued at $500. To complete the survey visit our home page.
