Category: Pests & Disease

This image, featuring the heads of individuals from the soldier caste, is meant to highlight the similarities of appearance across both parental species, the Formosan subterranean termite (Coptotermes formosanus), the Asian subterranean termite (Coptotermes gestroi), and hybrids. Visual identification of hybrid termites can only be done under magnification by experts that are familiar with identification characteristics. Submitting a sample to the UF/IFAS Termite ID Service (TermiteIDServices@ifas.ufl.edu) remains the best option to confirm any suspected samples. Credit: Thomas Chouvenc

Here’s what homeowners need to know about hybrid termites in Florida

by Lourdes Mederos
June 8, 2026

Alarming reports of hybrid “super” termites have fueled misinformation, while flooding news outlets across the United States for months. University of Florida scientists are stepping in to help property owners separate fact from fiction. In ... READ MORE

Category: Blog Community, , Home Management, Invasive Species, Pests & Disease, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Research
Tags: Asian Subterranean Termite, Ask IFAS, Coptotermes Formosanus, Coptotermes Gestroi, Entomology, Entomology And Nematology, Faith Oi, Formosan Subterranean Termite, Hybrid Termites, Institute Of Food And Agricultural Sciences, Johnalyn Gordon, Nan-yao Su, News, Termite Damage, Termites, Thomas Chouvenc, UF IFAS Fort Lauderdale Research And Education Center, UF-IFAS, University Of Florida

Managing Unwanted Plants; CEU Class, Chipley 6/11/26

by Mark Mauldin
June 3, 2026

On Thursday, June 11, 2026, UF/IFAS Extension Washington County will host Managing Unwanted Plants in Rights of Way and Aquatic Sites. The class has been approved for a total of 4 FL Pesticide Applicator CEUs. The CEUs may be used for license ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Crops, Events, Farm Management, Horticulture, Invasive Species, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, Turf, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Aquatic, Aquatic Training, Aquatic Weeds, CEU, Herbicide, Panhandle Agriculture, Pest Management, Pesticide Training, Right-of-Way, SV Ag Update
Lake County MGVs

FIELD TRIP: Nehrling Gardens in Gotha, FL

by Maria Quirico
May 31, 2026

Fourteen Master Gardener Volunteers (and family) toured Nehrling Gardens in May 2026. Theresa Schretzmann-Myers (Board of Directors Vice President) was our excellent tour guide. Ms. Theresa fed us history, facts, stories, and anecdotes in ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Conservation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Forests, Fruits & Vegetables, Home Landscapes, Home Management, Horticulture, Invasive Species, Natural Resources, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Teaching, Water, Wildlife, Work & Life
Tags: Attract Wildlife, Botanical Garden, Conservation, FFL, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Native Plants, Sustainability
Manos recolectando vainas verdes de okra directamente de la planta en un huerto, rodeadas de hojas verdes.

El okra pasa de ser un alimento básico en cocinas y huertos caseros a convertirse en parte fundamental del movimiento “La Comida como Medicina” en la agricultura de Florida

by Luz Bahder
May 28, 2026

Creado por Lourdes Mederos, gerente de relaciones públicas en español para el Departamento de Comunicaciones de UF/IFAS. ¿Qué hace que el okra, conocido también como quimbombó, sea una elección inteligente para los huertos caseros, las ... READ MORE

Category: Agribusiness, Agriculture, Blog Community, Crops, Fruits & Vegetables, Health & Nutrition, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research
Tags: Agricultura, Alimentacion, Alimentos, Caracoles, Centro De Investigación Y Educación Tropical (TREC) De UF/IFAS, Chicharrita De Dos Manchas Del Algodón, Cultivo, Dakshina Seal, Demanda De Okra, Entomologia, Español, Germinación, Gusanos Cogolleros, Hortalizas, Huertos Caseros, Institute Of Food And Agricultural Sciences, La Comida Como Medicina, Manejo Integrado De Plagas, Monalisa Seaton, Mosca Blanca De Alas Plateadas, Okra, Produccion Comercial, Programa De Extensión De UF/IFAS, Pulgones, Quimbombó, Rendimientos, Salud, Saludable, Spanish, TREC, UF-IFAS, Valor Nutricional
Pods of red okra of the cultivar ‘Carmine Splendor’ hybrid grown in South Florida. UF/IFAS photo by Vander Rocha Lacerda

Is okra rising from a kitchen, home garden staple to a ‘Food is Medicine’ star in Florida agriculture?

by Lourdes Mederos
May 26, 2026

What makes okra a smart choice for home gardens, healthier meals and Florida’s next great crop? University of Florida researchers from the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) say this adaptable crop illustrates how ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Blog Community, , Crops, Fruits & Vegetables, Home Landscapes, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Research
Tags: Antioxidants, Ask IFAS, Crop, Dakshina Seal, Digestion, Easy-to-grow, Español, Farmers, Florida, Food Is Medicine, Gardens, Health, Health Benefits, Healthy, Heart Health, Homestead, IFAS, Invasive Pests, Kitchen, Monalisa Seaton, Nutrition, Okra, Ornamental Plants, Peyton Ecklund, Plant-based Foods, Seed-borne Diseases, Seeds, South Florida, Staple, Tropical Research And Education Center, Two-spotted Leafhopper, UF/IFAS Research, Vitamins, Xiaoying Li

Is okra rising from a kitchen, home garden staple to a ‘Food is Medicine’ star in Florida agriculture?

by Lourdes Mederos
May 26, 2026

What makes okra a smart choice for home gardens, healthier meals and Florida’s next great crop? University of Florida researchers from the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) say this adaptable crop illustrates how ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Blog Community, , Crops, Fruits & Vegetables, Home Landscapes, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Research
Tags: Antioxidants, Ask IFAS, Crop, Dakshina Seal, Digestion, Easy-to-grow, Español, Farmers, Florida, Food Is Medicine, Gardens, Health, Health Benefits, Healthy, Heart Health, Homestead, IFAS, Invasive Pests, Kitchen, Monalisa Seaton, Nutrition, Okra, Ornamental Plants, Peyton Ecklund, Plant-based Foods, Seed-borne Diseases, Seeds, South Florida, Staple, Tropical Research And Education Center, Two-spotted Leafhopper, UF/IFAS Research, Vitamins, Xiaoying Li
Citrus tree with fruit

Growing Citrus in the Florida Home Landscape

by Tia Saracino
May 25, 2026

Growing citrus in your home landscape is challenging. The citrus disease greening affects much of the citrus in Florida and requires extra attention to insect management and fertilization. Getting Started with CitrusIf you are ready to plant ... READ MORE

Category: , Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Fruits & Vegetables, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Citrus Fruits And Vegetables, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Food Forest, Garden, Hillsborough County, Home Landscapes, Orange, Tsilvasy, Video

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