Riverina growers are urged to take action against the Queensland Fruit Fly which is currently causing loss and downgrade to citrus across the MIA.
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"At the moment the industry has probably lost in the tens of thousands of dollars from the fruit fly," Vito Mancini, President of the Griffith and District Citrus Growers Association said.
"In the next couple of weeks, we'll be moving in to the hundreds of thousands of dollars if we don't act now."
Mr Mancini said control is surprisingly simple if plans are put in place early. Monitoring with traps spaced approximately 200 metres apart, and installing traps near infrastructure such as homes or cottages is a good early indicator of emerging populations.
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"Bait spraying is by far the most efficient and effective way of reducing fruit fly numbers in an orchard," he said.
"We recommend all growers proceed with bait spraying on all citrus to lower the current pest pressure in the region."
However, this isn't just an issue for citrus growers, said Mr Mancini.
Residents with fruit trees in their yards should also be on the lookout and putting plans in place to combat the pests.
"It's important that we look at this as a community-wide issue, so it's important for backyard and hobby growers too," Mr Mancini said.
"If there's been fallen fruit or if there is fruit you don't expect to need then we recommend to put the fruit inside a plastic bag and leave it in the sun for a few days to ensure there is no larvae left in the fruit.
"There is also netting available to cover crops to keep the fruit fly out."
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