Fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) are amongst the most destructive and widespread pests of fruits and vegetables in the Indian Ocean Islands (Comoros, Mayotte, Madagascar, Reunion Island, Republic of Mauritius and Seychelles). In Mauritius, the bait application technique (BAT) and the male annihilation technique (MAT) have been used successfully to suppress populations of Bactrocera zonata, Ceratitis rosa and Ceratitis capitata in backyards over an area of 300 km'. Population suppression of B. zonata was further improved in one 10 ha area by weekly releases of sterile flies (sterile insect technique [SIT]). Area-wide fruit fly control in cucurbit plantations in selected localities was initiated with the support of the International Atomic Energy Agency. BAT, MAT and sanitation were used in farmers' fields to suppress populations of Zeugodacus cucurbitae, Dacus demmerezi and Dacus ciliatus. Farmers used fewer pesticides while cucurbit infestation by fruit flies was reduced from >30% to <5%. In 1996 and again in 2013 Bactrocera dorsalis was detected in Mauritius; it was successfully eradicated using BAT and MAT on both occasions. The presence of a fruit fly surveillance programme for early detection, availability of materials and trained personnel contributed towards the successful eradication of B. dorsalis from Mauritius. A similar programme was initiated in Reunion Island in 2009 over an area of 50 ha; fewer insecticide applications were made while yields of courgette increased compared with plots treated only with insecticide sprays.