CONTROLLING FRUIT FLIES AT ROADSIDE STANDS 



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6 . L . Jensen 



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Department of Entomology ■>■ 



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Adult fruit flies (Drosophila or vinegar flies) are very small 

 (less than 1/8 inch long), have bright red eyes and a tan-colored 

 head and thorax, with a blackish abdomen. They are found every- 

 where in the world, and are very common wherever fruit and similar 

 materials are permitted to rot and ferment. The entire life cycle 

 of the flies can be completed in as little as 8 to 10 days, hence 

 large populations can build up in only a few weeks. 



To control these pests, one should eliminate as much as possi- 

 ble all rotting fruits, vegetables and liquids containing food par- 

 ticles from the premises. The flies can breed in almost anything 

 that contains garbage, even such things as dish water from sinks, 

 drain water from refrigerators and ice boxes, and floor scrubbings 

 saturated with food particles. In short, practice good sanitation 

 to help eliminate these and other insects. 



In food establishments (and roadside markets), fruit flies 

 can be controlled by frequent application of pyrethrum-synergi s t 

 sprays, fogs or aerosals (the synergist is usually piperonyl but- 

 oxide). Frequent applications are necessary inasmuch as these 

 sprays are of necessity s^t)i short-lived or non-persistent. Such 

 sprays may be applied directly to the fruits in bags, boxes or bins 

 since pyrethrum has a low order of toxicity to warm blooded animals 

 and produces no harmful residues on food crops when used according 

 to the directions on the label. 



Outdoors around packing or processing plants, unloading docks, 

 outside walls and other areas where fruits are not present^may be 

 treated shortly before the picking season begins and during shut- 

 downs every 7 to 10 days with Diazinon* - 4 lbs. 50% WP per 25 gals 



of water. 



*Trade name 



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CA STORAGE OF McINTOSH APPLES: 

 PRE- AND POST-HARVEST FRUIT HANDLING AND STORAGE OPERATIONS 



F.W. Southwick 

 Department of Plant and Soil Sciences 



Condition at Harvest : 

 be harvested in a somewhat 

 have the desired characteristics 



Fruit to be placed in CA storage should 

 immature and firm condition if it is to 

 when offered for sale in late win- 



