Have you checked the fruit in your garden recently? Queensland fruit fly maggots detected in home-grown apples in Renmark have caused a new outbreak to be declared, impacting Renmark, Renmark West, Renmark North, Pike River, and Pike River West.
In addition, maggots in home-grown apples and pears in the Loxton North B and Loxton North C outbreak areas have extended those red outbreak and yellow suspension area boundaries. Part of Loxton township is now in red outbreak as a result. Impacted localities include Loxton and Loxton North.
Restrictions now apply within the extended 1.5 km red outbreak and 15 km yellow suspension areas, so check the outbreak map to search your address.
Fruit fly officers in orange overalls from the Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) will be applying bait and checking fruit in the newly affected areas, and continuing their work in all other outbreak areas.
PIRSA’s Fruit Fly Response General Manager Nick Secomb said that it’s possible maggots in fruit now could survive the winter and emerge in spring.
“Most of the Riverland outbreaks have started in domestic gardens, usually in larger properties just out of town with a dozen trees or more. How you care for your garden now is a critical part of eradicating fruit fly this year,” said Mr Secomb.
“Last year PIRSA successfully eradicated three Riverland outbreaks, twelve Adelaide outbreaks and one in Port Augusta with the help of residents who followed the restrictions and gardening advice.
“We need everyone in the Riverland region to clean up their gardens now so we can have that success again. Prune your trees, pick your winter fruit as soon as it’s ripe and collect any rotten or fallen fruit off the ground – do not compost or bury it. Don’t move it off your property.
“Special waste arrangements are in place and vary depending where you live, so check advice for your area on the fruit fly website or call the Fruit Fly Hotline.
“Our teams are doing their utmost to treat outbreak areas – we need anyone with fruit trees in their garden to meet us halfway and do their bit to break the fruit fly life cycle.”
Chair of the Riverland Fruit Fly Committee and local grower Jason Size said everyone must work together as a community to prevent fruit fly and protect the future of the region.
“Commercial growers know what to do on their properties to reduce fruit fly risk, and anyone with fruit trees around their home must act too,” said Mr Size.
“We all want a Riverland free of fruit fly so we can grow commercial and homegrown fruit without needing to use chemicals, knowing it’s free of maggots. I can’t emphasise enough how important it is for anyone with a fruit tree by their house to clear up and stop fruit fly breeding.
“If you’re a grower, call PIRSA’s industry hotline on 1800 255 556 for advice on fruit fly restrictions and requirements.”
Primary producers impacted by current fruit fly outbreaks are encouraged to contact the State Government’s free Family and Business (FaB) support program. Find a FaB by calling the PIRSA Recovery Hotline 1800 931 314 or visit pir.sa.gov.au/fabs
For the most up to date outbreak advice, end-dates and other information visit www.fruitfly.sa.gov.au or call the Fruit Fly Hotline 1300 666 010.