Queensland fruit fly Dan Papacek
Keltrol vegetable gum - for thickening Fruit Fly Lure
General Information
This material is a gel powder used in the food industry as a thickener and offers the potential to improve the present fruit fly baiting technique significantly. The gel causes the solution to thicken. When sprayed onto foliage the thickened solution adheres better, retains a globular shape and resists desiccation (drying out). It is also hygroscopic and will reabsorb moisture during periods of higher humidity (e.g. early morning). These properties make the thickened Fruit Fly Lure more attractive to fruit flies for longer and also should improve rain-fastness.
Mixing Instructions
Add Keltrol gel at the rate of 5g of the powder per litre of Fruit Fly Lure mixture while stirring or agitating continuously. It may be necessary to continue stirring for some minutes to ensure dispersal of all lumps and for the solution to thicken. Stirring can be done with a flat-bladed stick or a large paint stirrer. Spray vats with paddle agitators may offer sufficient stirring to achieve thorough mixing. If the keltrol is pre-mixed the day before fruit fly bait is to be applied, waiting time may be reduced.