Join the fight against fruit fly

If you grow fruit or vegetables in your back yard or commercially, you’re invited to a free workshop to learn what you can do to help prevent an outbreak of Queensland fruit fly in Mount Alexander Shire.

“Queensland fruit fly has been reported in home garden crops in central Victoria and it’s really important that we do what we can to keep it out of our shire or contain any outbreaks,” said Tracey Watson, Coordinator Public and Environmental Health, Mount Alexander Shire Council.

“It could absolutely devastate our local economy and all the beautiful produce that we grow in back yards and at farms,” said Ms Watson.

Queensland fruit fly attacks many different types of fruits and vegetables, and if left uncontrolled, can lead to total crop losses.

“Council is working closely with Harcourt Valley Fruit Fly Action Group to spread the word of what we can all do to keep fruit fly out of our area,” said Ms Watson.

Two-hour information workshops will be held in Newstead, Castlemaine and Maldon and are open to everyone with an interest in growing their own food or understanding more about Queensland fruit fly. Sessions will be held in Harcourt in early 2020.

“At the sessions we’ll share information about what fruit fly look like, how traps work and simple things you can do at home,” said Ms Watson.

“We’ll also go over what to do in the event of an outbreak, which is based on the emergency plan developed by Harcourt Valley Fruit Fly Action Group,” she said.

“We have some interesting guest speakers such as Colin Bain from Bio Trap, Horticultural Entomologist Andrew Jessop and guests with experience in home gardening in areas with fruit fly.

“There’s something wonderful about growing your own food, and having the space for a veggie garden or a few fruit trees is one of the best things about living in the country.

“We’d love you to come along and find out how we can all work together to protect our local produce and keep Queensland fruit fly out of Mount Alexander Shire”.

Bookings are encouraged. To secure your place contact Lynne Meldrum at the Environmental Health team at l.meldrum@mountalexander.vic.gov.au or call 5471 1866.

If you can’t make it to the workshop but want to know more visit Council’s website at www.mountalexander.vic.gov.au/FruitFly.

Council is collaborating with Harcourt Valley Fruit Fly Action Group and Agriculture Victoria to present these free workshops.

Newstead fruit fly workshop
When: 1.00pm to 3.00pm, Thursday 28 November
Where: Newstead Community Centre

Maldon fruit fly workshop
When: 6.00pm to 8.00pm, Thursday 28 November
Where: Maldon Community Centre

Castlemaine fruit fly workshop
When: 10.00am to 12.00noon, Friday 29 November
Where: Town Hall, Lyttleton Street, Castlemaine.

• Don’t bring infected fruit in from other areas.
• Set traps to monitor and reduce fruit fly numbers (you can watch videos on Council’s website to see how you can make your own trap, or talk to your local garden supplier about the different types that are available).
• Remove unwanted fruit from trees, collect fallen fruit from the ground and dispose of fruit correctly including boiling, freezing or placing in a sealed plastic bag in the sun for at least five days.
• Keep fruit trees well pruned.
• Place fruit fly nets over your fruit trees and vegetables.

Image: Come along and learn about Queensland fruit fly at local workshops.

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