Home gardeners are urged to act now to protect fruit and vegetables from Queensland fruit fly (QFF) this summer and help safeguard Victoria\u2019s valuable horticultural industry.<\/p>\n
The wet spring created the perfect breeding conditions for the pest, which is most active now through to May.<\/p>\n
Agriculture Victoria Statewide Fruit Fly Coordinator Cathy Mansfield said QFF are attracted to ripening fruit and vegetables.<\/p>\n
\u201cMaintaining good biosecurity practices starts in your home garden \u2013 and it\u2019s vital to limit fruit fly population growth and halt its spread to neighbours, nearby orchards or farms,\u201d Ms Mansfield said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe best way to protect your fruit and vegetables is to use insect-proof netting during the growing season.\u201d<\/p>\n
Continuously flowering vegetable and berry crops should be covered when developing fruit are very small.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re unable to net your trees, monitor for fruit fly and use other preventative methods such as baiting, insecticides, and traps, and remove any unwanted ripe or dropped fruit.<\/p>\n
QFF attacks a wide range of fruit and vegetables including tomatoes, apricots, figs, peaches, nectarines, cherries, and berries.<\/p>\n
Home gardeners can keep watch for fruit fly sting marks on developing fruit and vegetables \u2013 they\u2019re only tiny and easily missed but affected produce can rot from the inside.<\/p>\n
Fruit fly maggots are often found in the centre of produce, ranging in size from, 5 to 10mm long and creamy white in colour.<\/p>\n
If you do find active fruit fly, it\u2019s important to let neighbouring properties know and encourage people to check their own produce for damage.<\/p>\n
\u201cLeave your homegrown produce behind if you\u2019re going away this summer to ensure you\u2019re not accidentally bringing QFF into other regions,\u201d Ms Mansfield said.<\/p>\n
\u201cSome states have will not allow fruit or vegetables to be taken across state borders, so check before you travel.\u201d<\/p>\n
For more information including lists of common host plants, how to control fruit fly in your garden and netting tips, visit agriculture.vic.gov.au\/qff.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Home gardeners are urged to act now to protect fruit and vegetables from Queensland fruit fly (QFF) this summer and help safeguard Victoria\u2019s valuable horticultural industry. The wet spring created the perfect breeding conditions for the pest, which is most active now through to May. Agriculture Victoria Statewide Fruit Fly Coordinator Cathy Mansfield said QFF […]<\/p>\n