One new Queensland fruit fly outbreak has been declared in Loveday and 2 outbreak area boundaries have been extended in the Riverland since 2 January.
This follows on from 2 outbreaks announced in the region before Christmas at Murtho D (December 22) and Lyrup B (19 December), both triggered by the discovery of larvae in backyard fruit.
The total number of outbreaks is now 48.
Fruit fly officers will work together in teams to:
- check yards for signs of fruit fly in fruit
- apply organic bait
- talk to residents about how to make their property unappealing to fruit flies.
Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) General Manager of the Fruit Fly Response, Paul Dowsett, urged residents to support the fruit fly officers visiting properties in the outbreak areas.
'Although we’re still finding fruit flies and maggots in the Riverland, we know many people are adhering to the restrictions on fruit movement, and thank them for working together with us,' said Mr Dowsett.
'We urge people in affected areas to support our fruit fly officers, who are out in the community to help reduce the fruit fly population, so they can visit all their allocated zones on their shifts.'
Fruit Fly Response Incident Controller, local grower Con Poulos, encouraged growers in red outbreak areas to access free bait through PIRSA’s self-baiting program.
'The self-baiting program will help you protect your crops and support with eradication,' said Mr Poulos.
'If you're a grower, our market access staff will help you identify options to treat your fruit at risk of fruit fly, and discuss the approvals you need for moving fruit out of an outbreak area.
I urge growers as well as residents, particularly those in or near fruit fly affected areas, to continue to pick ripe fruit, and check and collect fallen fruit, to prevent opportunities for fruit fly to breed.'
Growers can see the self-baiting program to apply for free bait that is appropriate for their property and circumstances.
Current sterile fly (SIT) releases are occurring at Kingston on Murray, New Residence, Pyap, and Waikerie from 8 January until 18 February. SIT release locations change every 6 weeks; Riverlanders can check sterile insect technique to keep up to date on potential activity in their area.
Growers and residents are urged to search their address on the interactive fruit fly map to understand the restrictions in place within the 1.5 km red outbreak and 15 km yellow suspension areas.
Visit fruitfly.sa.gov.au/outbreak-restrictions to learn more about reducing the risk of outbreaks.