The Message Board

RE: FRUIT FLIES :(

Posted 350 days ago

Dear Michael
Fruit flies are a major and very serious pest of fruit in those area sin which they occur. They are quite hard to control and to do so requires persistence on the part of the gardener. Eco-Naturalure is an organic insecticide aimed at people who do not like to spray toxic (but effective) chemicals onto their food plants. To have any chance of working it really must be applied strictly as directed on the label and re-applied after rain or at the frequency stated on the label. That is quite often. Even then, the product is more a fruit fly reducer than an eliminator.

Dak Pots are not a control device of any sort and they're not meant to be. Many gardeners think hanging a Dak Pot is all they need do but this product is meant to be used as an indicator of fruit fly activity. When you see 1-2 flies in the pot it means you have to start your regular fruit fly spraying program.

Commercial growers use products such as Lebaycid which is a toxic chemical. It has a residual effect, protecting the ripening fruit for up to two weeks. If you use this product it is essential that you read, fully understand and follow the directions. pay particular attention to the withholding period which is the time which must elapse between spraying and picking any fruit. During the withholding period the chemical breaks down within the fruit.

_________
Horticultural Consultant Burkes Backyard Magazine

RE: FRUIT FLIES :(

Posted 350 days ago

I really don't like spraying anything I intend to eat so once I can see that the flowers are pollinated I put a mossie net over the trees. We have just finished eating the mose delicious nectarines I have ever tasted but I am biased I admit.

RE: FRUIT FLIES :(

Posted 350 days ago

Many thanks to both of you.

I was'nt aware until this season of how bad Fruit fly was in my area, Wollongong.

Ive been able to identify them as the, "Queensland F/fly" and the, "Mediterranean F/Fly", both are in the dak pot...

I now keep a pump bottle of "Naturalure" at the base of my trees to make sure i always have it ready and, in case of rain wash off and i renew the solution every 24 hours as per the instructions.

I'll do some reading regarding the use of "Lebaycid" though and make up my mind after that (sounds a bit toxic)

I know of the net you mentioned Pomolo and i've seen it before.

I will go out today and try to get it (Bunnings will have it i'm sure).

I get a lot of satisfaction out of producing my own fruit and vegies and the taste and quality are definitely better when its home-grown....
_________
Sir Micheal of Mangerton

RE: FRUIT FLIES :(

Posted 349 days ago

Hi Michael
I don't like chemical sprays either. When living in Sydney I used to love my mandarin tree because it fruited during the colder weahter when the fruit fly were not active. I gave up on our plum tree there and chopped it down because the fruit fly always found the ripe fruit before we did.

Here things will be different (I hope). So far the citris trees have been fruit fly free without spraying - my mandarins and the cumquats. The rest of my fruit trees are still very young. Our apricot tree produced about 5 fruits all up and I got to them before the fruit fly found them.

I'll be needing to look at options also to combat the fruit fly in future. I don't fancy the net idea - though that might reduce bird damage too. I'll have a lot of trees to protect by the time we're finished planting.

I heard that those fly zapper lights help to reduce the amount of fruit fly over time. I haven't tried them myself but had read about them somewhere.
_________
Even the hard, dull, dry ground harbours life - which is brought to the surface with the fresh touch of drenching rain (or the humble watering can).

RE: FRUIT FLIES :(

Posted 349 days ago

Thanks 14theroze
The Fly zapper idea sounds good. The camping stores sell little cheapies...

When i lived out west (Hillston) we had no trouble at all with fruit flies so i hope it will be the same for you.

I think the net idea is the way to go though.
Ive already devised a way of draping it over the trees from a central stake (tent fashion)
_________
Sir Micheal of Mangerton

RE: FRUIT FLIES :(

Posted 349 days ago

the Zapper - According to the article I read (and I'm going on memory here), which was either in a magazine or somewhere on the net) the backyard organic vege grower said that over a period of about 3 years there was a great reduction in the amount of fruit fly problem that she experienced. I just am not sure how many of the good bugs it would attract to. I'm going to try it as soon as I can purchase a zapper.
_________
Even the hard, dull, dry ground harbours life - which is brought to the surface with the fresh touch of drenching rain (or the humble watering can).

RE: FRUIT FLIES :(

Posted 250 days ago

I heard that fruit flies can come because of fallen fruit...make sure you pick up the fruit too!!!!
_________
Will it grow???? Will it grow???? YES IT WILL!!!