Category: Pests & Disease

Florida with magnifying glass and insect

Recap of February 2026 First Friday with Florida First Detector

by Morgan Pinkerton
February 9, 2026

Recap of February 2026 First Friday with Florida First Detector Fruit crops are a cornerstone of Florida’s agriculture industry, with the state ranking among the top producers of citrus, berries, melons, and other specialty fruits. Despite ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Crops, Farm Management, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Fruits & Vegetables, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Invasive Species, Natural Resources, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, Professional Development, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Citrus, Early Detection, Eradication, FFD25-26, FloridaFirstDetector, Fruit Flies, Invasive Species, Lime Swallowtail, SeminoleCountyAg

Skip-a-Week of Irrigation

by Melissa West
February 6, 2026

There is still time to Skip-a-Week of Irrigation By Doris Heitzmann, Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Program Manager If you have an automatic sprinkler system, the winter months are the perfect time to save water and increase the health ... READ MORE

Category: Conservation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Lawn, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, Water
Tags: 'Skip A Week', Conservation, Florida Friendly, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Irrigation, Landscape, Landscaping, Lawn, Pinellas, Pinellas County, Pinellasco, Sprinkler, Water
A view of a piece of wood infested by subterranean termites.

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: , 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
close up photo of green turf grass, showing individuals blades of grass

2/18/26 GI-BMP in Orange County + Sun Spot Safety Lunch with Swag!

by Hannah Eason
January 29, 2026

That is right! Fertilizer is regulated in Florida, including in Orange County and beyond. You are required to learn about it and follow the rules. We want to keep things interesting and beneficial for you, the landscape professionals. This year, ... READ MORE

Category: Events, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Management, Horticulture, Lawn, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, Turf, UF/IFAS Extension, Water, Wildlife
Tags: Certified Instructor, CEU, CEUs, Cflandscapes, Class, Classes, Clean Water, Continuing Education, Fertilizer, Fertilizer Class, Fertilizer Training, GIBMP, Grass, Grass Class, Green Industries Best Management Practices, Green Industry, Hwooten, Orange County, Regulated Fertilizer, Train, Trainer, Training, Turf, Turfgrass, Water, Water Glass
green palms trees against a blue sky

3/18/26 Palms Workshop–In Person in Orange Co.

by Hannah Eason
January 28, 2026

BEWARE! AFTER THIS CLASS, YOU WILL NEVER LOOK AT PALMS THE SAME AGAIN! Palms are popular plants that represent a slice of Florida paradise! There is a science to growing pretty palms that will thrive in Florida, from wild places to managed ... READ MORE

Category: Events, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Pests & Disease, Professional Development, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Central Florida, CEU, CEUs, Cflandscapes, Commercial Horticulture, Commercial Lawn And Ornamental, Continuing Education, Continuing Education Unit, Cpo, Education, Florida, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Garden, Gardening, Gardening Class, Hkalaman, Hwooten, Landscape, Landscape Architect, Landscape Design, Landscapes, Lawn And Ornamental, Limited Commercial Landscape Maintenance, Limited Lawn And Ornamental, Nutrient Deficiencies, Orlando Events, Ornamental And Turf, OT, Pa, Palm, Palm Diagnostics, Palm Fertilizer, Palm Problems, Palms, PCO, Planning, Plant Diseases, Plant Pests, Pruning, Right-of-Way, Row, Streetscape, Sustainable Landscaping

UF video series addresses useful topics to support Florida forest and landowners

by Suzette Cook
January 27, 2026

It’s a topic that University of Florida Forest Entomology Professor Jiri Hulcr, Ph.D., addresses during the opening scene of one of 16 videos aimed at helping to keep Florida forest landowners in the know. He looks right into the camera ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Crops, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Forests, Invasive Species, Natural Resources, Pests & Disease
Tags: Florida Land Steward Program, School Of Forest Fisheries And Geomatics Sciences, UF/IFAS Extension
various water features in Florida

New to Florida? Join Water Wednesday for Practical Guidance on Florida’s Environment

by Yilin
January 22, 2026

Florida is home to unique weather patterns, water resources, landscapes, and ecosystems. For many new residents, adjusting to these conditions can raise practical questions about everyday life, from lawn care and home maintenance to storm preparedness ... READ MORE

Category: Disaster Preparation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Management, Lawn, Natural Resources, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS Extension, Water, Wildlife
Tags: Climate, Environment, Landscaping, Nature, New Residents, Water, Water Wednesday, Wildlife

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