Hymlure has been proven to be a highly effective bait when used with approved insecticides for the management of Queensland and Mediterranean Fruit Flies. Hymlure is a low salt, high protein level bait with lower phytotoxicity/ fruit marking potential.
The Baiting Program
Female fruit flies need a source of protein to maintain egg production and they will start seeking out protein soon after emerging from the soil. The aim of the baiting program is to attract and kill the flies as they emerge and before they have a chance to multiply.
The bait
• Baits consist of a protein and insecticide and last about 1 week.
• Both females and males are attracted to, feed on, and are killed by the bait mixture.
Bait early and often
• Commence weekly baiting before the crop starts to attract females. This is usually when fruit is half size. Where fly pressure is high, start after fruit set.
• Bait twice weekly when fruit reach full size.
• Bait twice weekly if trapping indicates that fly numbers are constantly greater than 1 fly/trap/week. Look for stings and consider cover spraying if necessary.
• Baiting your entire orchard is more effective than baiting just a few blocks.
When can I stop baiting?
• Continue baiting a block for at least four weeks after harvest, to ensure that emerging flies from the soil are killed.
• To reduce the overwintering population, consider baiting particularly if you have pomefruit.
When and where?
• Bait in the morning to the foliage (aim for middle to top of tree) so that fresh bait is available when flies start feeding.
• Do not apply bait to the same tree more than once a week, due to potential problems with phytotoxicity.
• If baiting twice a week, alternate the rows or trees you spray, so you are only baiting any tree once in any one week.
• Reapply bait if it rains.
• Bait wind breaks and other non-fruit evergreen trees in the orchard.