Latest News

Add My News • Search Old News

Gippsland › Latest news › Department of Primary Industries

Help Swat Fruit Fly Out Of Gippsland

The Department of Primary Industries (DPI) will soon be resuming fruit fly control activities in areas of Gippsland currently in outbreak.

By Department of Primary Industries - 11th September 2009 - Back to News

DPI Senior Plant Standards Officer Lavinia Zirnsak thanked Gippsland residents for their cooperation during last season’s program and reminded them how to prepare for the upcoming warmer weather.

"In spring, fruit flies become more active and start infesting fruit, and this is a key time to resume control activities," said Ms Zirnsak.

"Starting in September, DPI will be focusing on fruit fly control in Gormandale, Langsborough and Paynesville, to consolidate activities from last season."

Residents can assist by allowing DPI officers easy access to backyards and by practising good garden hygiene.

Two important messages for backyard fruit growers are:

· If you know there is always more fruit than you can use, remove excess fruit whilst it is still small and before it starts to ripen, especially fruit in hard-to-reach places. This removes potential egg-laying sites and results in healthier fruit.

· Remove all unwanted fruit trees and re-plant with non fruit-bearing trees.

Ms Zirnsak also reminded residents to remove ripe fruit from trees so it can't provide food for fruit flies as the weather warms up in spring.

"If fruit falls to the ground, collect it immediately and place it in a sealed plastic bag," said Ms Zirnsak.

"Leave the bag in the sun for several days or place it in a freezer for two days to destroy any maggots, then dispose of the bag in the garbage bin.

"Unwanted fruit should not be composted or placed directly into the garbage."

With school holidays approaching, residents should also remember not to take fruit with them when travelling.

For more information please call the Customer Service Centre on 136 186 or visit the DPI website www.dpi.vic.gov.au/psb


Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com



Edit this news article




Related Articles

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Baw Baw Bass Coast Cardinia East Gippsland Latrobe City South Gippsland Wellington
© 2001-2025 gippsland.com Print this page | Subscribe to Newsletter | Feedback / Inquiries | Login
Care has been taken in compiling the component parts of this website. However, Gippsland.com does not warrant or represent that the website is free from errors or omissions, that the qualifications claimed by an advertiser are valid or that the published details of any advertiser are as stated on the website. Please review the full statement of our Terms and Conditions of Service and disclaimer.