Category: Pests & Disease

Is your neighborhood a termite hot spot? UF/IFAS researchers track the spread of destructive pests with online tool

by Lourdes Mederos
March 19, 2025

University of Florida researchers caution the public that an increasing number of communities are now hot spots for invasive termite species, facing significant threats to property and trees. “Recent studies indicate that Formosan subterranean ... READ MORE

Category: Blog Community, Disaster Preparation, Home Management, Invasive Species, Pests & Disease, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Research
Tags: Asian Subterranean Termites, Decayed Wood, Dropped Wings, Florida, Formosan Subterranean Termite, Infestations, Invasive Species, Map, Pest Control Professionals, Preventative Measures, Property Owners, Termites, Thomas Chouvenc, UF IFAS Fort Lauderdale Research And Education Center, West Indian Drywood Termites

Cracking the Burmese python code: New data zeroes in on game-changing strategies

by Lourdes Mederos
February 6, 2025

In a groundbreaking study, University of Florida scientists statistically analyzed large amounts of data collected by Burmese python contractors, revealing critical insights about how to most efficiently remove the reptiles. Researchers ... READ MORE

Category: Blog Community, , Conservation, Invasive Species, NATURAL RESOURCES, Pests & Disease, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research, Wildlife
Tags: Alex Romer, Big Cypress National Preserve, Burmese Python, Citizen Scientists, Fort Lauderdale Research And Education Center, Invasive Species, Melissa Miller, News, Palm Beach County, Python Contractors, Python Elimination Program, Reptiles, Scientific Reports, SFWMD, South Florida Water Management District, Tamiami Trail, UF IFAS Fort Lauderdale Research And Education Center, UF/IFAS, University Of Florida, Wildlife Conservation, Wildlife Ecology And Conservation

Hop into science: UF/IFAS guide empowers communities of all ages to explore tiny but mighty hoppers

by Lourdes Mederos
January 21, 2025

Spotted a tiny, colorful critter hopping on a leaf and wondered what it was up to? Meet the hoppers — leafhoppers, planthoppers and treehoppers. (more…) READ MORE

Category: Blog Community, Community Volunteers, Conservation, Pests & Disease, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research
Tags: Agriculture, AskIFAS, Beneficial Insects, Brian Bahder, Citizen Science, Conservation Efforts, Corey Callaghan, Data, Department Of Entomology And Nematology, Department Of Wildlife Ecology And Conservation, Ecosystems, Entomology And Nematology, Hoppers, INaturalist, Insects, Institute Of Food And Agricultural Sciences, Invasives, Leafhoppers, News, Observations, Pests, Planthoppers, Research, Treehoppers, UF/IFAS

UF researchers’ new outreach strategy succeeds, sets blueprint for detecting invasive species in Florida

by Lourdes Mederos
October 28, 2024

Invasive species in Florida like Nile monitors and Argentine black-and-white tegus pose a growing threat to the Sunshine State’s environment, economy and public safety. South Florida’s warm climate, disturbed habitats and bustling pet ... READ MORE

Category: Blog Community, Invasive Species, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research
Tags: Argentine Black And White Tegu, C-51 Basin, Climate Change, Cryptic Reptiles, Disturbed Habitats, EddMaps, Environment, Everglades, Florida Economy, Florida Fish And Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), FLREC, Frank Mazzotti, FWC, Invasive Reptiles, Invasive Species In Florida, IVE-GOT1, Melissa Miller, Nile Monitor, Nile Monitors, Non-native, Palm Beach County, Pet Trade, Public Health In Florida, Reptiles, Scientific Reports, South Florida, Targeted Outreach, Tegu, UF Croc Docs, UF News, UF/IFAS Croc Docs, UF/IFAS Research

UF/IFAS expert unravels truth on spiders as friend, foe

by Lourdes Mederos
October 23, 2024

There are more than 250 species of spiders found in Florida and more than 40,000 worldwide. “Spiders can easily survive in many different environments, from a grassy field to a crack in a brick wall,” said Johnalyn Gordon, a postdoctoral ... READ MORE

Category: Blog Community, Home Management, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research
Tags: Andrew Warren, Arachnids, Daddy Long Legs, Entomology, Entomology And Nematology, Featured Hot Topic, Florida Spiders, Fort Lauderdale Research And Education Center, Halloween, Harvestmen, Johnalyn Gordon, News, Pest Control, Pest Management University, Pests, Pholcidae, Pholcids, Spiders, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Pest Management University, University Of Florida Museum Of Natural History, Urban Entomology, Venom

Fallen trees can reveal hidden termites: UF/IFAS expert offers identification and prevention resources

by Lourdes Mederos
October 15, 2024

As Floridians begin to work on recovery efforts from the destruction caused by hurricanes Debby, Helene and Milton, many are dealing with fallen trees that have damaged their property. For some, the situation is even worse due to ... READ MORE

Category: Blog Community, , Home Management, Invasive Species, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research
Tags: Asian Subterranean Termite, Climate Change, Disaster Recovery, Entomology And Nematology, Formosan Subterranean Termite, Fort Lauderdale Research And Education Center, Hurricane, Hurricane Debby, Invasive, News, Storm, Storms, Termites, Thomas Chouvenc, Trees, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Termite Distribution Map

UF/IFAS research: Can artificial intelligence outsmart invasive species?

by Lourdes Mederos
February 29, 2024

Argentine black and white tegus are large non-native invasive lizards posing a threat to the biodiversity and natural balance of Florida’s ecosystems. Tegus have a diverse diet including fruits, vegetables, insects, ... READ MORE

Category: AGRICULTURE, Conservation, Invasive Species, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Research, Wildlife
Tags: @TheCrocDocs, #AI, AI Trap, Argentine Black And White Tegu, Artificial Intelligence, CROC Docs, FLREC, Fort Lauderdale Research And Education Center, Institute Of Food And Agricultural Sciences, Invasion Science, Invasion Science Research Institute, Invasive Species, Invasive Species Research, Jenna Cole, Melissa Miller, News, Research, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Wildlife Ecology And Conservation, University Of Florida, World Vision Systems

UF/IFAS unveils online tool: Stay ahead of termite risk with an interactive distribution map

by Lourdes Mederos
February 20, 2024

Termites cause billions of dollars a year in damages to homes, trees and other wooden structures across America. In Florida, termite infestations are a year-round risk for properties and trees. While they are not swarming year-round, ... READ MORE

Category: Blog Community, Home Management, Invasive Species, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research
Tags: Climate Change, Department Of Entomology And Nematology, FLREC, Formosan Termites, Fort Lauderdale Research And Education Center, Invasive Species, Rudolph Scheffrahn, Subterranean Termites, Termites, Thomas Chouvenc, UF Termite Collection

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