Further Queensland fruit fly have been found in the gardens of four Grey Lynn properties which are the focus of an intense eradication programme.

The discovery means operations in Auckland could now take several months, instead of weeks, as Ministry for Primary Industries staff and support agencies work to ensure no insects survive.

Grey Lynn properties in the affected area have been given their own dedicated disposal bins. Photo: File.

'We cannot be definite about an end date to the operation but it is expected to take several months,” says the ministry's latest QFF up-date.

However, MPI is adamant that it is working to eradicate a localised population of fruit fly, with no insects detected outside the control zones.

In the latest find, MPI field laboratory staff detected Queensland fruit fly larvae in windfall fruit collected from two properties near to the original affected property.

This means there are now a total of four properties in very close proximity receiving ground treatment for fruit fly. This includes targeted foliage spraying and use of insecticide granules.

Controls on fruit and vegetable movements remain fully in force and the instructions remain the same – whole fresh fruit and vegetables (except for leafy vegetables and root vegetables) cannot be moved outside of the controlled area.

This is to ensure that fruit flies are not spread outside of the area.

Detailed maps of the Controlled Area, a full description of the boundaries and full information about the rules are available here.

Field work continues to focus on the surveillance trapping system, which aims to capture any male fruit flies present in the area, and ultimately inform MPI that the eradication is successful.

Field teams are also applying insecticide and protein bait throughout the controlled area, informing residents about the controls and inspecting gardens and rubbish bins.

The bait is being spot applied as squirts onto fruiting trees and plants throughout the controlled area.

Targeted ground application of insecticide is only taking place at properties where fruit flies, larvae or pupae have been found.

All properties within the A zone have their own dedicated disposal bin to get rid of fruit and vegetable waste from their properties. Residents in the A zone have been asked to leave any fruit from trees in their garden on the ground for MPI to inspect.

Residents in the B zone have access to disposal rubbish bins at 200m intervals around the zone.

MPI will continue to have an ongoing presence at community events within or near the controlled area over the coming months to provide information to the public and answer questions.