Citrus Grove Protection Involves Looking Out for Pests

Dan Citrus, Pest/Pest Control, This Land of Ours

The pests to watch out for to protect your citrus grove. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours.  Living in subtropical or tropical regions gives you the advantage of growing citrus fruits. But there is a downside – plenty of pests and diseases. And, some of these problems can make growing citrus trees troublesome, if not impossible. Aphids are one …

Scouting Key in Management of Stink Bugs in Cotton

Clint Thompson Cotton, Pest/Pest Control

By Clint Thompson Scouting remains the best management tactic for cotton producers against stink bug pressure. It also ensures that stink bugs are present so growers can avoid applying insecticides when they are not needed, says Brock Ward, retail business representative at Syngenta. “In this area it’s pretty dynamic the different species that we see of insects that hit us …

Better Disease Surveillance of Animals May Help Prevent Future Pandemics

Dan Cattle, Livestock, Pest/Pest Control

USDA has announced a proposed framework for a project that could help prevent future human pandemics stemming from diseases in animals. Gary Crawford has the story. Dr. Mike Watson, Associate Administrator of USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, saying that setting up an early warning system to detect diseases in animals that might threaten humans is a long term …

Problems and Solutions When Growing Artichokes

Dan Pest/Pest Control, This Land of Ours, Vegetables

Some problems and solutions when growing your own artichokes at home. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours.  Artichoke seedlings are particularly susceptible to disease, and unless you’re taking proper care to sanitize tools and supplies, you may end up with limp, lifeless seedlings due to damping off. Slugs are a common issue for fragile young artichoke plants and are …

Before You Spray

Dan Citrus, Education, Field Crops, General, Nursery Crops, Pest/Pest Control, Specialty Crops, Vegetables

We often think about pesticide safety and best management practices when we are in the field spraying. You’re outside, you’re potentially exposed to the pesticide, and a gust of wind in the wrong direction could send it flying back into your face. However, your first interaction with pesticides on spray day takes place well before you step foot in the …

Bats are Nocturnal Creatures Providing Natural Pollination and Pest Control

Dan Pest/Pest Control, Pollinators, This Land of Ours

How to attract bats to your yard. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. After dark, Bats are nocturnal creatures that provide natural pollination and pest control for your yard. They love mosquitos, too! And because bats can eat in amounts up to half of its body weight, that means that a single bat could eat 1,000 to 3,000 insects …

Dealing with Aggressive, Destructive, Japanese Beetles

Dan Pest/Pest Control, This Land of Ours

Some ways to deal with Japanese Beetles. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Japanese beetles are aggressive, destructive pests in the summer garden. They are known for ruining our favorites things like roses, perennial hibiscus, raspberry bushes and any fruit tree. When Japanese beetles appear each summer, you have two opportunities to deal with them effectively: Attack adults in …