GARDENERS are being urged to reconsider their tomato plantings, with increased reports of Queensland fruit fly infestations in the fruiting vegetable this summer.
Many home gardeners have been unable to enjoy their ripening tomatoes, which are prone to fruit fly attack unless they are protected with insect netting.
Greater Sunraysia Pest Free Area (GSPFA) regional co-ordinator Narelle Beattie encouraged the community to think about the potential impact of fruit fly before planting tomatoes.
“The community has been working hard to control fruit fly in their gardens and prevent population numbers from rapidly increasing by practicing good garden hygiene, including using netting and choosing to remove their unwanted or unmanageable fruit trees,” Ms Beattie said.
“These actions help to protect our valuable horticultural industries and allow us to continue to enjoy beautiful local produce.
“We don’t want to see the effectiveness of this work undermined by unmanaged fruiting vegetables like tomatoes.”
Ms Beattie said that people who found fruit fly in their tomatoes this season would need to remove all the fruit and dispose of it properly, while any fruit that hasn’t yet developed can be protected with an insect net.
“To ensure you don’t have to deal with fruit fly in your garden again next year, consider planting veggies and herbs that won’t attract fruit fly such as carrots, potatoes, leafy greens and toughed-skin produce,” she said.
“If you still want to grow tomatoes, it’s important to be a responsible gardener and cover your plants with netting, which is the most effective way to protect them from fruit fly.”
For information and advice about controlling Queensland fruit fly in your garden, visit www.pestfreearea.com.au.
