Weather conditions have been favourable for fruit fly, resulting in an alarming increase in fruit fly activity around Tatura, Undera, Koonoomoo, Cobram, Coomboona, Merrigum, Ardmona, Grahamvale, Orrvale, Shepparton, Kialla and Kyabram, in particular.
“This season has been particularly bad for fruit fly with numbers spiking at alarming rates in many areas of the region and a significant increase in fruit fly activity in February and March,” Goulburn Murray Valley Fruit Fly Area Wide Management Program acting co-ordinator Penny Aston said.
“Predications of a mild autumn may delay the typical decline in fruit fly activity brought on by changing temperatures and cooler conditions, meaning continued action is essential.”
Essential steps to control the pest include netting fruit trees and vegetables with insect netting, trapping and monitoring for fruit fly, ensuring trees are pruned to a manageable height, picking ripe fruit, collecting fallen fruit and treating damaged fruit by placing it in a plastic bag in the sun for 14 days before disposing of it.
“Fruit fly is a serious economic threat to our region’s horticultural industry and if not managed properly has the potential to cause catastrophic damage in a single season,” Ms Aston said.
Property owners with unwanted fruit trees in participating councils can apply to have them removed through the free Fruit Tree Removal Program.
Ms Aston also encouraged commercial growers to review their pest management strategies.
“While most commercial fruit growers have regular management strategies in place to prevent the threat of outbreaks, unfortunately we have seen an increase of fruit being used for cattle feed causing major infestations in some areas,” she said.
“Not only are these piles of fruit going to affect a commercial growers’ land this year and next, they will fly to find somewhere to hibernate and come out in full force next season in neighbouring properties.
“I can’t stress enough that this practice is causing Queensland fruit fly to spread at a rapid rate.”
For more information, visit: www.fruitflycontrol.com.au
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