IT IS the silent, ever persistent enemy to the Swan Hill region’s multi-million dollar horticulture and viticulture industry.
But despite desperate efforts by local growers to contain it over the years, the Queensland fruit fly is now rearing its ugly head in alarming numbers in residential backyards.
The threat to has never been so real — there are currently 35 outbreaks across the Greater Sunraysia Pest Free Area and half of the backyards in Swan Hill are believed to be riddled with maggots.
It’s prompted growers to plead yet again with residents to stand shoulder-to shoulder with them to stop the spread of fruit flies.
Woorinen grower Dean Morpeth is urging residents to monitor backyard trees for the destructive pest.
Mr Morpeth, like other growers within the Greater Sunraysia Pest Free Area (PFA), is currently battling to prevent the spread of fruit fly to his Woorinen property.
“I have never seen fruit fly around this district, but the stories we are hearing coming from the township of Swan Hill – it is just about everywhere,” Mr Morpeth said.
“It isn’t the people of the township’s fault, but it the community needs to work together to fix it.”
For more on this story, pick up a copy of Friday’s Guardian (December 19).
