Category: Invasive Species

New study shows invasive termites threatening homes in Florida are spreading farther than predicted

by Lourdes Mederos
February 4, 2026

Highlights A new study from the University of Florida has found that two highly destructive invasive termite species have spread well beyond South Florida and are now threatening homes and buildings across much of the state. Decades ... READ MORE

Category: Blog Community, , Invasive Species, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Research
Tags: Asian Subterranean Termite, Chouvenc, Department Of Entomology And Nematology, Formosan Subterranean Termite, Fort Lauderdale Research And Education Center, Institute Of Food And Agricultural Sciences, Invasive Species, News, Pest Control, Spread, Study, Termites, Thomas Chouvenc, UF/IFAS, University Of Florida, University Of Florida Termite Collection

Science by the millions: How everyday people are revolutionizing global biodiversity research with tech

by Lourdes Mederos
July 28, 2025

A frog croaks from a walking trail. A hiker snaps a photo and uploads it to iNaturalist. That single act — one person, one amphibian and one click — feeds into a growing global dataset that scientists now use to map shifting species ... READ MORE

Category: Blog Community, Coasts & Marine, Community Volunteers, Conservation, Forests, Invasive Species, Natural Resources, Pests & Disease, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Research, Wildlife
Tags: Agencies, Agricultural Technology Firms, Aquatic Invasives, Biodiversity, BioScience, Brittany Mason, Citizen Science, Conservation, Corey Callaghan, Dataset, Fort Lauderdale Research And Education Center, Fungi, Global Ecology, High-resolution Maps, INaturalist, INaturalist App, Invasive, Lourdes Mederos, Map Shifting, Modeling, News, Observations, Organisms, Photo, Plants, Research Grade, Scientists, Species Ranges, Study, Technology, UF/IFAS, University Of Florida, University Of Florida Institute Of Food And Agricultural Sciences, Wildlife Ecology And Conservation

From itchy bites to asthma triggers: Why one scientist studies what’s bugging us

by Lourdes Mederos
July 14, 2025

From bed bugs in bedrooms and cockroaches in kitchens to the latest invasive pests spreading into new communities, the uninvited guests that sneak into our homes are more than just nuisances—they can be public health threats, economic ... READ MORE

Category: Crops, Disaster Preparation, Home Landscapes, Invasive Species, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research, Work & Life
Tags: Allergenic Proteins, Allergens, Bd Bugs, Bites, Bugs, Cockroaches, Data-driven, Entomology, Extension Outreach, Fort Lauderdale Research And Education Center, Health Risk, Histamine, Homes, Households, Human Immune Response, Insects, Invasive Pests, Johnalyn Gordon, Lourdes Mederos, Pest-management Solutions, Pests, Species, Structural Pests, Threats, Tropical Climate, Urban Pests

UF/IFAS scientists confirm hybrid termites established in Florida

by Lourdes Mederos
May 21, 2025

Scientists confirm that two of the world’s most destructive invasive termite species are not only spreading in the United States but also hybridizing – the process of two different species crossbreeding to produce a hybrid. This raises ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Blog Community, , Home Management, Invasive Species, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Research
Tags: Asian Subterranean Termites, Biology, Entomology And Nematology, Formosan Subterranean Termites, Fort Lauderdale, Fort Lauderdale Research And Education Center, Genetic, Hybrid, IFAS, Institute Of Food And Agricultural Sciences, Invasion, Invasion Science, Invasive, Lourdes Mederos, News, Proceedings Of The Royal Society B, Structural Damage, Termite Soldier, Termites, Thomas Chouvenc

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

UF/IFAS scientists develop groundbreaking method for detecting DNA of invasive snakes in Florida

by Lourdes Mederos
November 21, 2024

Scientists at the University of Florida have developed a pioneering tool to bolster Florida’s defenses against invasive species: a DNA-based environmental monitoring test that can pinpoint where they’ve been, aiding eradication efforts. Once ... READ MORE

Category: Blog Community, Invasive Species, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research, Wildlife
Tags: Boa Constrictors, Burmese Pythons, Climate Change, Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan, CROC Docs, Ecologu And Evolution, EDNA, Everglades, Florida’s Ecosystems, Fort Lauderdale Research And Education Center, Frank Mazzotti, Institute Of Food And Agricultural Sciences, Invasive Snakes, Invasives In Florida, News, Northern African Pythons, Rainbow Boas, Sergio Balaguera-Reina, Tetraplex Digital PCR Assay, UF/IFAS, University Of Florida, Wildlife Ecology And Conservation

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

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

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