March 2017 News with Jacinta

As we wave farewell to summer our thoughts in March turn to an eclectic array of events being held in Wycheproof.

Thank you to the WCRC for hosting a fruit fly information afternoon. Rhys Neville, a plant standards office with the Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources Victoria, talked about prevention and control of this pest. It has been heartbreaking for the home gardeners in the district to discard large crops of stone fruit, tomatoes and even citrus due to this destructive pest. See information on the newsletter blog (access from the Wycheproof website). Information brochures are available at  WCRC.

If it is March, then we know the Wycheproof Lawn Tennis Club members are limbering up for the annual tournament on the long weekend 11-13 March. It is often three of the hottest days of tennis on the calendar and we know that the club always hosts a professional event that attracts visitors from across the state.

What a great time it will be in Wycheproof as that weekend is the Lions Club of Wycheproof first annual Show and Shine event from noon on Saturday 11 March, which includes a Rock ‘n Roll concert in the evening. The Wycheproof Youth Group is in the final stages of planning for the FReeZA event, Disturbing the Peace on Sunday 12 March, a ‘must do’ event on the calendar for teenagers from across Buloke and Loddon Shires.

We know that many people have some great ideas for events and groups have need of support to host events.  There are two important meetings in March. The first is the Wycheproof A&P Society meeting on 17 March. So if the show is valuable to you and Wycheproof please go along and support this great annual event. Another important meeting is a gathering of ideas for tourism events on Monday 20 March

It is always heartening for organisers of events to know that our community supports them in so many ways. Thank you to all who supported the Manequin Challenge filming on the mount for the ‘We are here’ documentary. Thank you to all who attended the 5^th Annual Harvest Thanksgiving Service and Wycheproof VISION fundraising barbecue lunch on Sunday 26 February.  The Ice Breakthrough event on 21 February was also well attended. More than 30 people heard presenter Jacqueline and Community Liaison Officer Victoria Police Andrew Downes talk about the health and social problems caused by drug use, how to keep safe and how help a family member or friend who is using drugs. The notion of ‘talk therapy’, talking to people and keeping channels of communication open, is seen as the key to helping people.

A ‘shout out’ to Buloke Shire Council for placing the ‘No Camping’ signs at Centenary Park. Camping in the carpark at Centenary Park has concerned the community for some time and Wycheproof VISION had passed on those concerns to council. We appreciate this support from the Buloke Council.

Events: This week in Wycheproof

Controlling Fruit Fly and how to make a Fruit Fly trap

Bactrocera tryoni or Queensland Fruit Fly (QFF) may attack a range of fruits and fruiting vegetables, leaving them inedible If sufficiently warm weather persists into autumn or winter, fruit flies can continue through their life cycle providing that a suitable host fruit or fruiting vegetable is available.

Below are photos of fruit fly and lavae. 

The following information is from the Commonwealth Government's Advice for Home Gardeners in Australia website www.preventfruitfly.com.au . To report to DEPI Victoria call the Queensland fruit fly hotline (Mildura) 50 514 618 or email plant.standards@dpi.vic.gov.au  

The tiny thrip-like flies that can be often seen on overripe fruit are Vinegar Flies and usually don’t do extensive harm.

To eradicate and manage fruit fly the following is recommended:

Exclusion, the use of physical barriers to stop female QFF from reaching your fruit. Barriers include:

Nets: mosquito nets, over PVC tubes or stakes, over and around the trees or vegetables. An outdoor gazebo could be used as the zipper allows easy access to regularly inspect trees and harvest fruit as it ripens. Whatever you use, all nets must be either secured around the trunk base or to the ground.

Bags and sleeves: Place bags and sleeves over the fruit you want to keep. Remove any flowers or developing fruit from the plant that are not covered by a barrier. Secure bags and sleeves to the plant with tie wire, clothes pegs or string. Nets, bags and sleeves are generally available from your local chemical or home garden retailer.

Garden hygiene: Pick and use any fruit as it ripens, don't leave it on the plant for fruit flies to attack. Collect and destroy any rotting or unwanted host fruit, whether it is on the ground or still on the plant.

Unwanted fruit can be microwaved to kill any maggots inside prior to being disposed of. Alternatively, place the fruit in a plastic bag, seal the bag and leave it in the sun for 5­7 days, or place it in a freezer for two days. The bagged fruit can then be discarded in your rubbish bin. Do not add unwanted fruit to your compost or worm farm, or put it directly into your rubbish.

Traps and attractants are designed to lure and kill fruit flies. They can be bought from hardware, nursery and on-line suppliers. Place traps on host trees and other sites around the garden to draw fruit flies away from your fruit and vegetables.

Make your own traps

Using an empty soft­drink bottle (with lid). Please note that these traps may attract all insects ­ both pests and beneficials. Cut three holes in the bottle about the size of a 10 cent piece, 10 centimetres from the top. Add the bait mixture: one cup of 100 per cent fruit juice (including pulp) and one tablespoon of cloudy ammonia (or wheelie bin cleaner) available from supermarkets and hardware stores. Tie a string around the neck of the bottle and hang it from the tree in the shade 1­1.5 metres from ground. The mixture can last up to three weeks but should be changed weekly for best effect.

Fruit fly help for seniors. If you need help cleaning up around your garden put your name into the WCRC before the end of March. Volunteers are available.