ALTHOUGH fruit fly outbreaks in the Swan Hill region are becoming more widespread, there have been some small gains in the fight against the destructive pest.
A total of 40 outbreaks have been declared in the boundaries of the Greater Sunraysia Pest Free Area (GSPFA), including seven in the Mildura township and four within Swan Hill.
GSPFA industry development committee stonefruit representative Michael Tempini said there have been some reductions, but Queensland fruit fly numbers were still higher than last year.
“We have some wins on the board… but [the outbreaks] are becoming more widespread,” he said.
“To begin with we had just one outbreak [in Swan Hill], then a second and now we have four in the township.”
Some residents have voiced concerns with the direction of control efforts, particularly the efficiency of residential trapping programs that have been taken up by some but not by others.
If trees can’t be maintained, removal is one option, but can be difficult for elderly residents or on rental premises.
Swan Hill resident Meg Irvin has voiced concerns with the unity of current efforts.
“We need to nip it in the bud, I don’t want fruit fly in my backyard, but if the neighbours don’t do anything I will still have them,” she said.
For more on this story, pick up a copy of Friday’s Guardian (January 30).
