FRUIT

Fruit fly outbreak declared in Woodville Gardens

22 January 2018

A 1.5km outbreak area has been established around the detection point and quarantine restrictions apply.

Affected suburbs include Angle Park, Athol Park, Ferryden Park, Kilkenny, Mansfield Park, Regency Park, St Clair, Woodville, Woodville Gardens, Woodville North and Woodville Park.

Manager Plant and Food Standards at Biosecurity SA, Geoff Raven said staff have commenced an eradication programme aimed at eliminating any fruit flies from the outbreak area and nearby surrounds. “Residents and businesses within the outbreak area will be receiving information from Biosecurity SA about the outbreak and associated quarantine, detailing what part they can play in preventing its spread.

“An organic bait spotting programme will be undertaken with staff also concentrating on the removal of fallen fruit from properties within the affected 200m outbreak zone area.

“Queensland fruit fly doesn’t normally exist in South Australia and must have been brought into our state from infested fruit originating from the eastern states.

“This outbreak, which follows on and is separate from last week’s outbreak in West Hindmarsh has no impact on our fruit fly free status. We are liaising with the horticultural industry on the outbreak and our eradication campaign.”

Raven said residents and businesses inside the quarantine area could help eliminate fruit fly by practising a few simple measures, including:

  • DO NOT give away or move any fruit or fruiting vegetables, including tomatoes, capsicums, chillies and eggplants unless cooked or preserved;
  • DO NOT leave fruit or fruiting vegetables lying on the ground;
  • DO NOT compost any fruit or fruiting vegetables, including those purchased from a shop;
  • DO place all unwanted fruit and vegetables in your green bin for normal collection;
  • DO report any maggots found in fruit or fruiting vegetables immediately to the Fruit Fly Hotline on 1300 666 010;
  • DO cook or preserve excess fruit and fruiting vegetables.

At this stage, if no further wild flies or larvae are detected it is anticipated that the quarantine in Woodville Gardens will remain in place until at least 21 March 2018.

For more information, including detailed maps of outbreak areas, the quarantine zone and Suspension Area are available from www.pir.sa.gov.au/fruitfly.

Source: PIRSA