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THIS FRUIT FLY IS CAUSING MINNESOTA GARDENERS BIG PROBLEMS

Katie Winslow stopped by from The Minnesota Extension Service and discussed a new invasive species that is affecting our strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and other fruit here in Minnesota. It's the Spotted Wing Drosophila.

This invasive little fruit fly is really tiny, and if you start to notice that your fruits are turning brown early but can't see any signs of bugs; you've probably got SWD. It's spreading like wildfire all over central Minnesota, and since it has the ability to go from larvae to adult within 7 days...it's really hard to stop.

If you suspect you have SWD, you can put out traps to make sure, you should gather up any rotten fruit and discard it in plastic bags. Composting is NOT recommended as it does not kill off the larvae or the fly. You also should not bury infested materials as the larvae and fly can survive that as well.

PESTICIDES?

If you fruit is already infected, insecticides will not work. Sanitation, meaning cleaning up of the bad fruit is the only thing you can do.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

If you are wanting more information about SWD, please click HERE to learn details from The Minnesota Exentension Office.

 

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