No new Queensland fruit fly outbreaks have been declared, and the total number of outbreaks remains 48.
Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) General Manager of the Fruit Fly Response, Paul Dowsett, is confident that residents in outbreak areas can make a big impact on reducing fruit fly numbers this season.
"With two very active outbreak areas in Renmark and Berri, and increasing warmer weather, we can curb that population growth if we grab fruit off the ground," said Mr Dowsett.
"Removing fruit from the ground quickly can stop fruit fly maggots entering the soil and developing into fruit fly pupae, and reduce the number of pupae emerging from the soil as mature flies."
Fruit Fly Response Incident Controller Con Poulos said that with school holidays ending, now is a great time to look at fresh fruit options for school lunch boxes.
"The best way to keep fresh fruit in local lunch boxes is by returning to your local shops in the Riverland," said Mr Poulos. "So while we can’t move any fruit off our property in outbreak areas, we can still keep enjoying fresh produce – whether it's by preparing our fruit with different recipes, or supporting our local businesses."
Teachers, families and carers with school-aged children can visit Recipes for fresh fruit ideas and recipes that are safe for moving off properties in outbreak areas.
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.
See Outbreak restrictions to learn more about reducing the risk of outbreaks.
New outbreak areas
- Nil
New extensions to existing outbreak areas
- Barmera
- Berri A
- Glossop
- Loveday
- Monash A
- Monash North
- Renmark West
- Renmark West B.
Outbreak area boundary extensions also affect yellow suspension area boundaries.
Search your address on the fruit fly outbreak map to see how fruit and vegetable movement restrictions affect you, depending where you live, travel, work or go to school, and learn what you need to do within the 1.5 km red outbreak area and 15 km yellow suspension areas.
Total outbreak breakdown
| Outbreak area | This fortnight | Previous fortnight |
|---|---|---|
| Outbreak areas with no detections for more than 12 weeks | 25 | 20 |
| Outbreak areas with detections during the last 12 weeks | 23 | 28 |
| TOTAL OUTBREAKS | 48 | 48 |
The end date for all outbreaks is currently 16 April 2024, but may change if more fruit flies are detected.
The outbreak end date depends on no fruit flies being detected in red outbreak or yellow suspension areas for at least 12 weeks.
To make sure we meet area freedom requirements, fruit fly eradication activities and restrictions on fruit movement in the Riverland are likely to continue beyond the outbreak end date.
Please see Outbreaks explained for more information.
If you feel overwhelmed about this situation, our Family and Business (FaB) mentors can help.
FaB mentors are local Riverlanders who can support you through this challenging time. You can have a free, informal, confidential and independent conversation with them in person, or by phone.
Our FaB mentors include Robyn Cain (0411 633 085), John Chase (0419 848 672), and Brent Fletcher (0439 409 430).
For more information about the fruit fly, self-baiting, or the latest outbreak advice, visit fruitfly.sa.gov.au or call the Fruit Fly Hotline on 1300 666 010.