Category: Pests & Disease

Springtime Caterpillars

by Jackie Lebouitz

March 21, 2024

It's officially spring, and almost like clockwork, several seasonal caterpillars have begun to emerge from our trees...and may have found their way onto our walls, benches, and well, just about everywhere. While their presence may be a nuisance ... READ MORE

Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Forests, Home Landscapes, Natural Resources, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, Recreation, UF/IFAS Extension, Wildlife
Tags: Caterpillar, Echo Moth, Inchworm, Integrated Pest Management, Leafroller, Management, Pest, Pgm_Chemicals, Spring, Tussock

Leap into Learning: Flea Beetles

by Jackie Lebouitz

February 27, 2024

The daytime call of birdsong heralds our gentle transition into the spring season. Light rainstorms ensure that our soils are saturated and that our plants are nourished. The sun's rays work in tandem to encourage the emergence of fresh, ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Crops, Farm Management, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Fruits & Vegetables, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Lawn, Natural Resources, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, Wildlife
Tags: Beetle, Biocontrol, Control, Damage, Ecofriendly, Entomology, Flea, Insects, Pests, Pgm_Chemicals, Plant

Welcome Our New Chemicals in the Environment Agent

by Lee Hayes Byron and Jackie Lebouitz

December 18, 2023

At UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County, we often get questions about insect identification, treatment strategies, mosquito control, opportunities to protect and support pollinators, and how to apply best practices when using household chemicals. ... READ MORE

Category: Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, Professional Development
Tags: Fertilizer, Insect, Pest, Pesticide, Pgm_Chemicals, Staff, UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County

Water Talk: Common Questions and Thoughtful Answers

by Michael D'Imperio

May 25, 2023

Water touches every aspect of our lives, and is at the heart of many questions we receive at UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County. This "Water Talk" blog series will answer some of the most commonly asked water-related questions. Our Master ... READ MORE

Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Lawn, Pests & Disease, Water
Tags: Irrigation, Landscape, Lawn, Master Gardener Volunteers, MGV, Pgm_Water, Plant Clinic, Pond, Regulation, Vegetation, Water, WaterTalk

Practicing pesticide safety

by Carol Wyatt-Evens

February 1, 2023

February is Pesticide Safety Education month. Whether using a conventional chemicals or biorational chemicals, understanding how to use the product safely is universal. No product is 100% safe. Remember they are used to control, prevent, ... READ MORE

Category: Home Landscapes, Lawn, Pests & Disease, Work & Life
Tags: Biorational, Environment, Horticulture, Landscape, Pest, Pesticide, Pesticides, Pgm_Chemicals, Polinator, Pollinators

Integrated Pest Management (IPM): A reasonable and responsible approach to pest control

by Carol Wyatt-Evens

January 11, 2023

You may have heard the term integrated pest management or the phrase ‘IPM’ tossed around in conversation by your pest control company, your landscape maintenance service, or even me - your local extension agent! So, you may be wondering ... READ MORE

Category: Home Landscapes, Lawn, Pests & Disease, Work & Life
Tags: IPM, Pest, Pesticide, Pesticides, Pgm_Chemicals, WaysToSave

Mosquito bite prevention

by Carol Wyatt-Evens

June 9, 2022

While venturing out for a walk with my dog yesterday evening, I made a big mistake. I did not apply insect repellent. Actually, it was a huge mistake. Within minutes, it was a battle for blood: me trying to keep it and the mosquitoes trying ... READ MORE

Category: Natural Resources, Pests & Disease, Work & Life
Tags: Insects, Land Insects, Landscape, Landscape Insects, Mosquito, Mosquitoes, Pest, Pgm_Chemicals, Urban Environment

National Invasive Species Awareness Week!

by Alyssa Vinson

February 24, 2021

Co-Authored by: Alyssa Vinson and Katherine Clements What are invasive species? An invasive plant, animal or pest is one that is non-native (originating from another state or country), are able to reproduce and maintain self-sustaining ... READ MORE

Category: Home Landscapes, Invasive Species, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS
Tags: Air Potato, Brazilian Pepper, CISMA, IFAS, Invasive, Invasive Plants, Manatee County Extension, NAISMA, Pgm_EcoNR

Edible Gardening Series: Question of the Week – tomatoes!

by sarahbostick

February 11, 2021

By Sarah Bostick and Carol Wyatt-Evens Gardening in Florida can be incredibly rewarding and incredibly frustrating, at the same time. If you are new to the region, you soon learn that gardening in the Sunshine State can quickly become a full-time ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Fruits & Vegetables, Pests & Disease, Work & Life
Tags: Ag, Agriculture, Edible Gardening QOTW, EdibleGardeningSeries, Food, Garden, Horticulture, Pgm_Ag, Pgm_Chemicals, Pgm_Gardens, Seedlings, Tomatoes, Trellis

Edible Gardening Series: Question of the Week – Tomatoes!!

by sarahbostick

February 11, 2021

By Sarah Bostick and Carol Wyatt-Evens Gardening in Florida can be incredibly rewarding and incredibly frustrating at the same time. If you are new to the region, you soon learn that gardening in the sunshine state can quickly become a full-time ... READ MORE

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