Steven Fattore and wife Rachael have tried everything to combat fruit fly in their backyard since moving into their home three years ago.

“Despite upping our ante every year to try and get rid of fruit fly including baiting, spraying, researching different products, speaking to people about different methods and even using organic products nothing really works,” Mr Fattore said.

The Fattore’s have a variety a fruit trees and with three young children they would like to keep the trees, however, with consistent fruit fly issues they are considering removing the trees altogether.

“It’s good for kids to grow up with fruit trees in their backyard so they can go and pick the fruit and know it does’t just come from the supermarket, it’s a good experience and educational,” he said.

“I would like to keep the trees but sometimes you ask if it is worth it because there are a lot of costs involved to maintain them, it’s a lot of hard work for little reward.”

In previous years Mr Fattore remembers council or the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) taking extensive measures to control fruit fly in the area including spraying and baiting trees.

“There needs to be a more collaborative approach between growers, backyard growers, council and DPI because something needs to be done to protect the fruit industry,” he said.