Fruit Fly Industry Update
Fruit Fly Response update
Current situation
There are currently eight Queensland fruit fly outbreaks in the Riverland in South Australia - search the interactive fruit fly map.
Outbreak end dates
As at 6 May, the Queensland fruit fly outbreak end dates are:
- Loxton – 14 December 2022
- Loxton North – 14 December 2022
- Paringa – 17 December 2022
- Pike River – 14 December 2022
- Pike River West – 14 December 2022
- Renmark North – 17 December 2022
- Renmark West – 17 December 2022
- Waikerie – 9 December 2022.
Remember, dates may change so check the fruit fly website for the latest information.
Outbreaks update
All of the outbreak end dates are now in December because detections at this time of year result in longer outbreak periods, as the fruit fly life cycle slows down in the cooler months. This is known as 'overwintering'.
Autumn is the most prevalent time for Queensland fruit fly and maggot detections and PIRSA's response tactics are being increased. Baiting and hygiene in all outbreak areas are underway. PIRSA is also undertaking preventative work in the Riverland including surveillance, baiting, trapping and Sterile Insect Technology (SIT) release.
We know growers are doing all they can to prevent fruit fly and are looking after their properties. The latest detections have been largely in non-commercial trees and surveillance traps, and PIRSA urges growers to share the message to their friends and family in the wider community to clean up their yards and play their part to prevent future outbreaks.
New fumigation facility in Waikerie
A new fumigation facility is being established in Waikerie to support growers in the area needing to apply an acceptable treatment to their produce.
For details on when the service will become available, and how to arrange a booking once it is operating, call the Fruit Fly Industry Hotline on 1800 255 556.
New web hub for growers affected by fruit fly outbreaks
The fruit fly website has been updated with a new hub for grower information. If you are a grower in one of the new outbreak areas, you'll find useful information about the restrictions in place and what you need to do.
Unless alternative approval from PIRSA has been provided, host material cannot move around in an outbreak area. Contact the Industry Hotline on 1800 255 556 for further advice and support.
Updated information on the dedicated hub for growers and producers includes:
- preparing your business for a fruit fly outbreak
- restrictions and movement controls
- selling to sensitive or non-sensitive markets
- secure conditions for storing, packing and transporting
- treatment options for movement
- harvesting and verification.
In a separate hub is guidance to help retailers, wholesalers and transporters meet fruit fly restrictions during outbreaks.
Visit the new industry web pages.
Access free support from the Family and Business support program
Primary producers impacted by current fruit fly outbreaks are encouraged to contact the State Government’s free Family and Business (FaB) support program.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed and don’t know where to start, contact a FaB mentor. Fruit fly impacted growers can have an informal, confidential and independent conversation with a local Riverland mentor by phone or in person.
Our trained local mentors work closely with other service providers such as Rural Financial Counselling and local health networks, as needed.
Find a FaB by calling the PIRSA Recovery Hotline 1800 931 314 or visit pir.sa.gov.au/fabs
Orchard hygiene and waste disposal
We remind orchard owners they can make a significant difference in breaking the fruit fly life cycle.
Pick ripe fruit promptly, and collect fallen fruit to remove the opportunity for fruit flies to continue reproducing - this is the way to prevent potentially devastating infestations.
Correct disposal of unwanted collected fruit, whether you are in a red outbreak or yellow suspension area, means:
destroy fruit onsite by mulching and then optionally apply a registered insecticide (such as Samurai or Dimethoate).