Wangaratta's Battle against fruit fly ‘lost’

Eradication program lacked resident support

Written by HARVEY DIKE. Wangaratta Chronicle 4 Jan 09

WANGARATTA is fighting a losing battle against fruit fly.

While the incidence of the pest is rapidly increasing, the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) is being ‘drawn away’ from the city by more pressing outbreaks in commercial orchards in Glenrowan and the border area.

A fruit fly awareness program, launched in Wangaratta early in December, has not been effective enough to stop the spread of the pest.

Bill Ashcroft, the DPI officer in charge of the fruit fly eradication program, said flies were widely distributed across the town, and that Wangaratta "has gone the way we expected it to go".

"It’s certainly not looking good for Wangaratta," he said.

"We are continuing with our blocking program there, but the demands for our services are more urgent in other areas.

"We recently ran out of the blocks because so many have been needed.

"Our eradication efforts in the city have not met with the full co-operation of all residents.

"We will continue to respond to reports of larvae discovery, but we won’t be able to deal with sightings of the fly itself."

Mr Ashcroft said there were several ways Wangaratta residents could still prevent a more serious fly infestation.

"Use common sense, and make sure the fruit from all trees is either used or destroyed," he said.

"Rake up fallen fruit, put it in a plastic bag and leave it in the sun for a few days.

"Alternatively, put it in a bag in the freezer, and once it is frozen, it can be put in a bin.

"If larvae is found and you’re willing to allow us access to your property, ring us on (02) 60304500 and we will deal with it."