Bruce Walker from Benalla's Rotary Club said locals should have fruit fly traps set up anywhere on a property that has host plants such as in fruit trees.
“Trapping is undertaken as part of your overall management plan as it will initially alert you to the presence of fruit fly,” Mr Walker said.
“Your trap should placed in an open shade area about half way between the trunk and the outer edge of the foliage, about 1.6 metres above the ground.
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“The traps must be monitored on a weekly basis and people should pick-up and dispose of any excess ripe citrus, especially grapefruit, tangelos, mandarins and late season oranges.
“Early ripening fruit such as loquats are also a high risk fruit at this time of year.
“Exclusion netting is the best way to keep your fruit and vegetables free of fruit fly.
“It will also protect ripening produce from other pests such as the green vegetable bug and birds, for example.”
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The Rotary Club of Benalla has exclusion netting available for sale and are alsoable to provide advice on their correct installation.
If you are not intending to manage fruit fly in your garden, then the best option is toremove any fruiting plants and trees that may be hosts for fruit fly.
● If you need help to remove unwanted fruit trees please contact the Rotary Club of Benalla, who may be able to help. You can contact them via Facebook or by emailing benallasecretary@live.com.au