Free traps to help control fruit fly numbers

Published on 13 November 2024

Locals wishing to help reduce long term fruit fly numbers in the city are invited to pick up a free male fruit fly trap from Council's Administrative Centre.

Council has 250 male annihilation technique (MAT) traps to give away, which attract and kill male fruit fly and help interrupt the pest's breeding cycle.

Council and concerned residents are hoping to reduce fruit fly numbers over the coming years, with the possibility of then employing Sterile Insect Technology (SIT) on the local weakened fruit fly population.

SIT involves the release of large numbers of sterile male fruit fly to outcompete the local fruit fly population and further break down breeding cycles.

Council's Deputy Mayor, Jim Hickey, encouraged all locals concerned with fruit fly to grab a free MAT trap and hang it in their yard.

"These traps are a long term measure for people who want to help make a difference over time, each one lasts for about three months," said Cr Hickey.

"Locals will still have to use standard female fruit fly traps to protect their fruit, but ideally we'd like to one of each type of trap in the yards of people with fruit.

"If we can protect fruit from females in the short term while continually killing males over time, hopefully we can get the fruit fly problem to a point where we can look at Government assistance to employ SIT and possibly eradicate fruit fly all together in the city."

Free MAT traps can be picked up from Council's Administrative Centre, with a limit of one per household.

Silverlea Services also offer a paid fruit fly spraying and baiting service, and can be contacted on 8087 7899 or admin@silverleaservices.org.

NOTE: MAT traps target male fruit fly only, and do not protect fruit from attack from females. Locals should ideally pair the MAT trap with a female fruit fly trap purchased from a local retailer or service provider, or use one made at home: DIY Fruit Fly Trap and Bait Recipes