Queensland fruit fly threat critical

Property owners in Cobram and Koonoomoo are being asked to take immediate action as the number of Queensland fruit flies have increased in recent months.

Goulburn Murray Valley Fruit Fly Area-Wide Management Program acting co-ordinator Penny Aston said the threat of fruit fly was at a critical level in those towns and the prediction of a mild autumn would mean the typical decline of fruit fly activity could be delayed.

“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,” she said. Ms Aston is urging property owners to take immediate action to cull fruit fly numbers, including pruning and protecting fruit trees or vegetable patches with netting, 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.

Commercial growers are also being reminded to review their pest management strategies and the public is being urged not to use fruit as cattle feed.

The free Urban Fruit Tree Removal Program is available for all Moira Shire residents. The program sees unwanted trees removed and disposed of by a registered and insured private contractor at no cost to the property owner.