THE Department of Primary Industries has said it is eradicating Queensland fruit fly from three Swan Hill properties and has investigated a recent sighting of small flies on plums in a Swan Hill shop.
This comes after a new outbreak of Queensland fruit fly was declared in the Swan Hill urban area less than a month after the town was declared pest free.
Recent door knocking in Swan Hill detected infestations of Queensland fruit fly at three separate residential properties within the city area, said Department of Primary Industries regional operations manager Harvey Cleaver.
The DPI is currently taking steps to remove the pest from the three properties.
"We've commenced an eradication program," Mr Cleaver said.
"It's going to be an ongoing eradication program for up to 12 weeks," he said.
Previously, outbreaks have occured at commercial agricultural properties in various towns including Kenley.
Mr Cleaver also said Swan Hill DPI staff found no larvae or signs of Queensland fruit fly when they investigated a report of small flies on ripe plums in a Swan Hill shop.
The matter was reported to store staff who removed the fruit immediately.
"Our job is to investigate all inquiries of suspected larvae in host fruit," Mr Cleaver said.
Managers knew the need to monitor their fruit and report any suspected sightings, he said.
"They know the procedure.
"They've had a few soft plums but nothing with the larvae present.
"If larvae were detected they would report it.
"The message is if they're concerned about it they should collect a sample and provide it to the DPI," he said.
"(It's) everybody's responsibility to do the right thing."
One local manager of a store which stocks fruit said processes were in place to deal with such reports and guidelines were strictly adhered to.
"If we sight any sort of pest activity we've got steps to elevate via our internal channels so it would go through the appropriate person,"the manager said.
"We take the appropriate action, it's an important point for us."
And the need for the local community and tourists to take action to eradicate Queensland fruit fly was also important for the agricultural industry in the Sunraysia region, DPI Queensland fruit fly state director Gary D'Arcy said.
"The stone fruit season is only weeks away from completion so it's vital eradication efforts are maintained during this period," Mr D'Arcy said.
Commercial growers were reminded of the urgency to remove Queensland fruit fly from the region.
"Queensland fruit flies are also still being trapped in local orchards and growers are reminded to remain vigilant and continue spraying," he said.
Mr D'Arcy also urged growers to regularly visit the DPI website to check if their property was in a declared outbreak location.
Meanwhile Mr Cleaver said the need for people to supply samples of suspected fruit flies to the DPI for identification was vital, as there are around 30 to 40 types of fruit fly in Australia.
"We're concerned obviously with Queensland fruit fly and Mediterranean fruit fly," he said.
"They're the ones with economic significance."
Queensland fruit fly are smaller than a housefly, are brown in colour and have a yellow marking.
One major challenge in detecting infestations is that fruit containing the larvae will look healthy.
"The fruit itself will look perfectly normal," Mr D'Arcy said.
Fruit that had fallen to the ground was a particular issue because the larvae could then burrow into the ground and develop into an adult fruit fly within seven to 10 days, depending on weather conditions, Mr Cleaver said.
Residents and tourists were encouraged to freeze any unwanted fruit before disposing of it.
People were welcomed to report suspected sightings of Queensland fruit fly to the DPI immediately on 1300 135 559, before the creature can cause significant impact.
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