Queensland Fruit Fly (QFF) has now been detected across five Yarra Ranges townships as council again urges vigilance when it comes to stopping the spread of the fly.
The fruit fly has again been detected in Silvan, Hoddles Creek, Mount Evelyn and in Badger Creek. Council say they were notified of the Silvan detection in early January and the Badger Creek detection in early February, while flies were detected in Mount Evelyn and Hoddles Creek (and nearby Kinglake) in mid-February.
QFF was also detected in the Yarra Valley in February 2018, in January 2019 and March 2020. Containment and eradication treatments were then put in place by private landowners.
Residents in the immediate surrounding area were notified in writing and provided with information on how to prevent the pest spreading.
The QFF is active in the fruiting season, though populations increase in spring when temperatures rise above 16 degrees. They can remain active in autumn and winter in warmer weather.
Fruit flies attack a wide range of fruit and vegetables including tomatoes, stone fruit, citrus, cherries, berries and grapes.
Council and Agribusiness Yarra Valley say they will work with the landowners to contain and eradicate any QFF.
Here are some tips to contain and eradicate QFF:
• follow good garden hygiene such as picking fruit and vegetables as they ripen
• dispose of unwanted fruit and scraps carefully
• regularly monitor for fruit fly presence in your garden
• protect trees, plants and produce through netting, gazebos and bags
• use bait, traps and insecticide control.
