Over 3,600 baits were placed on fruit trees in Mahdia and surrounding communities, Region Eight, as the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) takes steps to eliminate the Carambola Fruit Flay.

A team responsible for providing plant protection and quarantine services conducted a four-day exercise of baiting and servicing of traps in the district as part of an implemented control strategy for quarantine pest, a release from NAREI noted.

During a routine surveillance earlier this year it was observed that there was a large population of Carambola Fruit Fly in the targeted communities. This recent exercise saw the placement of the baits in Mahdia, Microbie, Tumatumari, Campbelltown, 47 Miles Mabura, and 58 Miles Mabura.

The team also serviced Jackson traps (detectors) that were installed at Rockstone and Mabura outpost. While the traps at Rockstone were empty, two Carambola Fruit Flies were found in a trap at Mabura outpost. This is an indication that the pest is moving closer to Lethem, an area unaffected by the pest.

According to the release, since the adult fruit fly lives for a few weeks it is important that they reproduce. The adult female fruit flies lay eggs in the flesh of ripening and ripe fruits and vegetables. Once the eggs are hatched, the larvae begin to feed within the fruit. This causes the fruit to prematurely ripen, rot and drop to the ground.

Even at this stage residents and farmers can assist to eliminate the pest through cultural control practices such as placing fallen fruits inside plastic bags and leaving them exposed to sun light; using fruits as livestock feed; and spraying insecticide on the soil around the tree.

NAREI is reminding persons to avoid transporting fruits from the affected areas (including Linden) to other parts of the country.