The Bundaberg Fruit Fly Community Awareness Program reports more than 94,000 Queensland fruit flies have been caught in traps over six months.
Bundaberg Fruit and Vegetable Growers (BFVG) have been delivering a regional community awareness fruit fly program since April this year with great results.
Since the program began, more than 480 traps have been provided to community members, and more than 94,000 Queensland fruit flies (QFF) have been reported from those traps over 19 weeks.
Students help fight fruit flies
The program also developed an online resource specifically for school students which has been delivered in four Reef Guardian schools: St Patricks Primary School, Bundaberg Christian College, Kepnock High and Kalkie State School.
These schools have integrated Queensland Fruit Fly topics into their sustainability programs.
Fruit fly infestations adversely impact on commercial growers’ ability to market their commodities at interstate and international markets, causing huge economic losses.
While many producers employ a systems approach to managing Queensland Fruit Fly and other pests, the wider community plays a vital role in the producers’ ability to effectively manage and reduce pest populations.
One crop severely impacted by fruit fly is lychee and one local producer weekly fruit fly count ranges between 1300 to 2000 each week.
This grower effectively manages fruit fly, but these populations would be a lot higher without the community’s support.
Traditionally fruit fly populations are lower during the winter months and highest in summer so BFVG will be keeping an eye on populations to see how they’re increasing.
Fruit fly traps throughout Bundaberg Region
Queensland fruit fly traps are now located in backyards across the wider Bundaberg region, including Agnes Waters, Gin Gin and Childers.
Each week community monitors check and count the contents of their traps and message in this number for data collection.
The program was designed to engage the community and increase their understanding on the impacts of QFF and how through simple measures they can reduce pest populations which is beneficial both for the home gardener and the commercial producers in the region.
The community has been extremely positive about the program and it’s fair to say their knowledge and understanding of QFF has improved significantly.
For more information phone the BFVG office on 4153 3007 or email project officer Hannah Lemon at ido@bfvg.com.au.
This program was funded by the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries.
- Earlier report: Community urged to help combat fruit fly
