Home composts, a breeding ground for fruit fly

It’s International Compost Awareness Week (4 to 10 May) – a time to celebrate all things compost and shine a light on sustainable living. But did you know that the way you compost could be helping fruit fly spread in your backyard?

In South Australia, fruit fly is a threat to our horticulture industries and home gardens. While composting is a fantastic way to reduce waste, it can be a breeding ground for fruit fly.

The fruit and vegetables you place in the compost could already be infested. Another risk is that flies can lay their eggs in compost bins, worm farms, or open heaps. Whether the bin is open or closed, this environment allows new flies to emerge.

If you live in an outbreak area, you can only compost produce if it isn’t a host for fruit fly.

You can keep composting anything that’s not a host fruit fly all year round, whether you live in a fruit fly affected area or not. This includes leafy greens, onions, carrots, watermelon or pumpkin.

Check which fruit and vegetables are hosts

Restricted (host) fruit and vegetables can’t be composted in fruit fly outbreak zones. These include apples, bananas, citrus and tomatoes.

What to do with green waste in outbreaks

Use your kerbside green waste bin for any host produce waste. In the Glynde and Salisbury North outbreak zones, this is the safest method of disposal.

If you don’t have a green waste bin, or live in the Riverland or Ceduna:

1. Double bag your fruit and veg.
2. Seal it tight.
3. Put it in the general waste bin.

Find out more about disposing of restricted fruit and vegetable waste during an outbreak.

Check the fruit fly outbreak map

South Australia is currently experiencing fruit fly outbreaks in the Riverland, Salisbury North, Glynde, and Ceduna. Check the outbreak map to see if your home is currently in a fruit fly outbreak area, and when it will end.