Cold winter gives us a head start on QFF

The colder than average winter has given the Goulburn Valley community a head start to manage Queensland Fruit Fly (QFF) this coming season.

Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources (DEDJTR) is urging home gardeners to prune back their fruit trees to a manageable size, or if it's decided the trees are no longer needed, DEDJTR recommends to remove them.

DEDJTR Horticulture Officer Cathy Mansfield said the Goulburn Valley community can help in the fight against QFF and support local growers by taking good care of their fruit trees and veggie patches.

"The cold winter has been ideal for reducing fruit fly numbers. By being active in their gardens the community can help fruit growers reduce the numbers of fruit flies around this summer," Ms Mansfield said.

"As many gardeners know, it's extremely disappointing to find your fruit attacked by pests before you've had any chance to enjoy the fruits of your labour. At this time of year QFF could be found in your citrus plants such as backyard lemons trees."

"Always pick and use fruit as it ripens, its vital to not leave it on the plant or on the ground for QFF to attack."

Ms Mansfield said an important part of fruit fly management is to collect and destroy all fallen, unwanted, or rotten fruit, place it in a sealed plastic bag and leave it in the sun for five to seven days to destroy the QFF larvae.

Never add unwanted fruit to your compost or worm farm or place directly into your garbage.

"Home grown fruit and fruiting vegetables are just as attractive to QFF as commercial crops, and there are a number of tactics home gardeners can use against QFF and it's a good idea to talk to your neighbours to coordinate efforts and share knowledge," Ms Mansfield said.

The department is running the Ground Up campaign to build awareness of the need for everyone across the Goulburn Valley to help manage QFF.

"Everyone with a garden has a role to play in supporting the Goulburn Valley's $485 million fruit and vegetable industry.

"If a gardener decides to grow QFF host plants, then they need to be prepared to manage the pest."

Helpful resources include:

• www.vic.gov.au/qff
• www.preventfruitfly.com.au
• Customer Service Centre on 136 186;
• online 'how-to' videos detailing the best ways to manage QFF; and
• local nurseries and rural supply stores.

Horticulture Centre of Excellence experts from Tatura are available to help the community utilise the best techniques to limit the impact of QFF and support the Goulburn Valley QFF Taskforce in taking a strategic and coordinated approach to QFF management in the region.

For more information please call DEDJTR Tatura on (03) 5833 5222.

See Media Release attached below.