If you haven’t already, now is the time to install traps, apply bait and improve production area hygiene.
 
TRAPS

• Refresh or replace fruit fly monitoring traps (have some male QFF traps in high risk areas like dams/creeks and home gardens, and aim to have all production areas with in 250m of a trap)
• Install some protein (food) based fruit fly traps in key areas
• Check traps at least weekly or more often if possible

BAIT**

• Apply protein bait as soon as traps indicate QFF in the area, or earlier if a high risk crop (months earlier)!!
• Mix fruit fly bait with water (mix well to avoid clogging jets) and add approved insecticide (or use the premixed organic brand)
• Use a focused stream (jet nozzle) and apply whilst moving, to apply droplets of bait onto leaves of trees etc – for crops with fruit or ground crops focus on the perimeter and other foliage trees (*1-1.5m high)
  • This can be done using a tank mounted on a tractor/bike/ute/trailer or even a using a knapsack – the idea is to keep moving and spread the droplets as broadly as possible
  • Remember the house garden and fence lines, sheds and fruit disposal areas
• Re apply weekly or more often if in a high risk area
• Re apply after rainfall (it washes off the leaf)
• Continue for a minimum of four weeks, unless more fruit fly pressure evolves (where the practice will need to continue until the pressure reduces to 0)
• Bait is very effective as the hungry flies seek it out, and does not target good bugs
• Bait is most effective if everyone in your area is also baiting

PRODUCTION AREA HYGIENE

• Pick all fruit before it falls to the ground (the larvae will pupate in the ground)
• Destroy all fruit in the ground (mulcher (most destructive), slasher if low enough (some impact), tractor tyres(some impact)
• Bury infested fruit in a deep hole (with at least 500mm compacted cover)
• Consider fruit waste removal options to reduce QFF risk
• Investigate non commercial host fruit trees/plants and consider removal

COVER SPRAYS**

• Commercial production needs to evaluate if crops are at risk from QFF and investigate the use of cover sprays
• When applying cover sprays, careful consideration of biological predators for other IPM is required
• When applying cover sprays, careful consideration is needed  with respect to WHPs, MRLs, and target market requirements

**All chemical use needs to be in accordance with the label and APVMA permits and registrations