How?
- Spot application. Apply 50-100 mL in coarse droplets (4-6mm in size) to foliage. Apply bait to every tree in a row, alternate sides that you bait each week to avoid phytotoxicity.
- Continuous stream method. Apply a continuous stream to each tree in a row. The spray will be broken up when it hits the foliage. With a spray rig set up to spray both sides of a row, travel up and down every second row so that trees are not being double sprayed.
How much bait do I apply per hectare?
- Depends on the product, from 1 up to 20 L/ha.
What can I use?
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There are two key components to a foliar bait mixture for controlling Mediterranean fruit fly: the protein to attract the fruit fly to feed and a small amount of an insecticide to kill the fruit fly.
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A third component is something to thicken and stabilise the bait mixture, reported to reduce drying in hot weather and extend the effective life of the bait mixture. This practice is still experimental and growers should monitor its effectiveness.
| Protein | Example of product names | Rate of application* |
|---|---|---|
| Plant-based protein | NATFLAV 500® Fruit fly lure Bugs for Bugs Fruit Fly Lure® Flavex® | Add 700 to 2000mL of protein for every 100L of water plus insecticide. Add protein first then add water plus insecticide. The variable rate is to account for variations in label rates and phytotoxicity. |
| Animal-based protein | Cera Bait®
| Continuous stream application: Spot application: |
| Naturalure | Naturalure™ fruit fly Bait concentrate | Naturalure is an ‘all in one’ protein plus insecticide concentrate. For rate and mixing details, see Table 3. |
| Product | Example of product names | Rate of application |
|---|---|---|
| Xanthan gum | Xanthan gum Keltrol gel | Add 5g of product per litre of final bait mixture. Dissolve the powder in a small amount of water first, use of a ‘vortex’ mixing unit is helpful, then add slowly to the bait mixture ensuring constant agitation of mixture. |
| Guar gum | Guar gum |
| Crop | Insecticide | Example of product names | Rate of application | Withholding period (days) after final application |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| All | Trichlorfon (500g/L) | Dipterex 500SL® Lepidex 500® | 780mL in 100L of water plus protein | 2 days |
| All | Maldison | Maldison 500® | 700mL in 100L of water plus protein | 3 days |
| All | Maldison (440 g/L) | Fyfanon™ 440EW | 700mL in 100L of water plus protein | 3 days |
| All | Spinosad | Naturalure™ fruit fly Bait concentrate | Mix 1 part Naturalure with 6.5 parts water. This is a complete bait product, so no further protein is required. | Not required when used as directed |
| Non-crop vegetation; perimeter baiting | Spinosad | Naturalure™ fruit fly Bait concentrate | Dilute to 1:6.5 or use as a concentrate 1:1.5 parts water. This is a complete bait product, no further protein is required. | Not required when used as directed |