WITH a recorded spread into Bentley, residents and gardening contractors are being urged to work together to ensure green waste within the Como Queensland fruit fly (Qfly) quarantine area is correctly disposed of.
The quarantine area now applying to Como, Karawara, South Perth, Kensington, Bentley and Curtin University came into effect on May 5 following the detection of 16 of the destructive pests in Como.
With the City of South Perth recycling centre located within the quarantine area, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development bio-security manager Rosalie McCauley said education on proper green waste disposal was one of a number of strategies being undertaken to stamp out Qfly, which has been eradicated from Perth five times since the 1980s.
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READ NOW“Home gardeners and gardening contractors working in the quarantine area are at risk of accidentally spreading Qfly by moving green waste containing fruit,” Ms McCauley said.
“All green waste must be stripped of fruit and vegetables prior to disposal, and fruit must remain on site and be disposed according the guidelines of the Quarantine Area Notice.
“The easiest disposal option is to seal fruit and vegetables in a heavy-duty black plastic bag which is placed in direct sunlight for three days.
“The bag can then be placed in the normal rubbish bin.”
Ms McCauley said other disposal options included cooking, preserving or freezing for 24 hours.
The Department has stated these quarantine restriction are likely to remain in place until at least November 2018.
Residents who suspect they have seen Qfly or have fruit that is not normally infested with fruit fly can call the department’s Pest and Disease Information Service on 9368 3080.
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