Category: Pests & Disease

Scratches and Mud Fever are Common Names for Equine Pastern Dermatitis: Tips for Managing this Skin Condition in Horses

by Doug Mayo
July 16, 2026

Authored by: Carissa Wickens, UF/IFAS Equine Extension Specialist Equine pastern dermatitis (EPD), also commonly referred to as scratches, mud fever, mud rash, greasy heel, or dew poisoning, is an inflammatory skin condition that affects the ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Livestock, Pests & Disease
Tags: EPD, Equine Pastern Dermatitis, Panhandle Agriculture, SV Ag Update

New Invasive Turfgrass Pest: Pasture Mealybug

by Susan Haddock
July 15, 2026

There’s a new invasive insect that may invade your turfgrass…The Pasture Mealybug has been found in 15 south Florida counties in pastures including bahiagrass and bermudagrass pastures, other forage, and sugarcane. It has not been documented ... READ MORE

Category: Horticulture, Lawn, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, Turf, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Invasive Pest, Landscape Insect, Landscape Maintenance, Landscape Pests, Pasture Mealybug, SW ProHort, Swprohort, Turfgrass Insect, Turfgrass Pest

Media Alert: UF/IFAS Experts to Host Pasture Mealybug Webinar on July 17

by Jamie Groh
July 13, 2026

What: Experts from the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) are hosting an informational webinar on the invasive pasture ... READ MORE

Category: Blog Community, Invasive Species, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research
Tags: Agricultural Pest Management, Agricultural Webinar, Blog Community, Crop Protection, Department Of Entomology And Nematology, Entomology, FDACS, Featured, Featured Hot Topic, Florida, Florida Agriculture, Florida Extension, Florida Farmers, Forage Grasses, Forages, Insecticide Options, Institute Of Food And Agricultural Sceinces, Institute Of Food And Agricultural Sciences, Invasive Pasture Mealybug, Invasive Pests, Invasive Species, Livestock Production, Mealybug Identification, Pasture Management, Pasture Mealybug, Pasture Mealybug Webinar, Pasture Pest Control, Sugarcane Pests, UF-IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, University Of Florida

Expert entomologist inducted into Integrated Pest Management Hall of Fame

by Stella Canfield
July 13, 2026

Lance Osborne at the UF/IFAS Mid-Florida Research and Education Center has been inducted into the 2026 Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Hall of Fame by the Southern IPM Center. As one of three selected for the honor, the award recognizes Osborne’s ... READ MORE

Category: Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Research
Tags: Award, Biological Control, Integrated Pest Management, IPM, IPM Hall Of Fame, Lance Osborne, Southern IPM Center

Scientists try to limit nasty tomato disease from spreading via grower spraying

by Brad Buck
July 7, 2026

Bacterial spot disease isn’t just a nuisance for tomato growers – it’s a relentless, weather-powered villain that can ruin a field of promising fruit, threatening farm profits. When warm rains roll in and humidity hangs in the air, ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS
Tags: Aerosol, Airborne, Bacterial Spot Disease, Fungicides, Gary Vallad, Gulf Coast Research And Education Center, Plant Pathologist, Renzo Ramírez, Spraying, Tomato Plants, Water

National survey suggests why roach infestations persist in multi-family apartment buildings, treatment options sought

by Lourdes Mederos
July 6, 2026

Cockroach infestations affect millions of U.S. households, particularly those who live in multi-family residential buildings, who made up nearly 70% of rental units in 2023. A national study, led by researchers from the University of Florida, ... READ MORE

Category: Blog Community, , Invasive Species, Pests & Disease, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Research
Tags: Cockroach, Department Of Entomology And Nematology, Diseases, Español, Espanol E Inglés, German Cockroach, Johnalyn Gordon, Louisiana State University, Pest Control, Pests, U.S. Department Of Housing And Urban Development, UF IFAS Fort Lauderdale Research And Education Center, UF Institute Of Food And Agricultural Sciences, University Of Florida, University Of Kentucky, Zach DeVries

As new invasive species threatens Florida pastures and sugarcane, researchers racing to manage pasture mealybug outbreak

by Meredith Bauer-Mitchell
July 6, 2026

Invasive pasture mealybug has been detected in 15 Florida counties and can rapidly kill pasture grasses, hayfields and sugarcane, causing severe crop losses. UF/IFAS scientists are studying the newly arrived pest, while emergency approval ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Crops, Invasive Species, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research
Tags: Pasture Mealybug

As new invasive species threatens Florida pastures and sugarcane, researchers racing to manage pasture mealybug outbreak

by Meredith Bauer-Mitchell
July 6, 2026

Category: Agriculture, Crops, Invasive Species, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research
Tags: Pasture Mealybug

Protecting Pets from New World Screwworm Webinar

by Kalyn Waters
June 30, 2026

As concerns continue to grow over the threat of New World screwworm, UF/IFAS Extension Holmes County is partnering with UF/IFAS Extension Walton and Escambia Counties to offer a free educational webinar to help pet owners prepare, recognize ... READ MORE

Category: Events, Home Management, Livestock, Pests & Disease, Relationships & Family,
Tags: Living Well In The Panhandle, Panhandle Agriculture

Phase III “Extreme” Water Shortage Restrictions Extended Through October 1

by Mike D'Imperio
June 29, 2026

Last week, the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) voted to extend the current Phase III “Extreme” Water Shortage Restrictions through October 1, 2026.Before officials enacted these restrictions earlier this year, we had ... READ MORE

Category: Conservation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Lawn, Natural Resources, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, Turf, Water, Work & Life
Tags: Drought, Featured, Landscape, Pgm_Water, Water

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