Fruit Fly Control

Queensland citrus growers are reminded that this is the time of year when they need to be especially vigilant about fruit fly.  Protein bait sprays are very effective and work best as part of an integrated approach which includes the use of MAT cups and a regular monitoring program.
In the Central Burnett district the varieties that are most at risk right now are imperial mandarin, grapefruit, navel orange and lemons.  The use of keltrol thickener is recommended during periods of showery weather of if fruit fly pressure is particularly high.  Some links that may provide more detail are:

Fruit fly information

Protein bait sprays

Fruit fly traps

Fruit fly thickener

Male Annihilation Technique (MAT)

Naturalure - for organic growers

Queensland Fruit Fly (Bactrocera tryoni) on banana

Photo: Dan Papacek