Bugs love weeds. This combination is likely the bane of most homeowners—the stereotypical lawn is typically bug-free and a bright green monoculture of one turf species. But when it comes to the health of the ecosystem, bugs and weeds are ... READ MORE
Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Lawn, Natural Resources
All my life, I’ve known them as mosquito hawks. Built like extra-large, spindly-legged versions of mosquitoes, they look a bit intimidating. However, growing up we were told they were harmless and actually fed solely on mosquitoes. In ... READ MORE
Category: Natural Resources, Water, Wildlife
The daytime call of birdsong heralds our gentle transition into the spring season. Light rainstorms ensure that our soils are saturated and that our plants are nourished. The sun's rays work in tandem to encourage the emergence of fresh, ... READ MORE
Category: Agriculture, Crops, Farm Management, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Fruits & Vegetables, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Lawn, Natural Resources, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, Wildlife
'Tis the season of love, and amidst the heart hoopla, I am spreading my enduring affection for one of my favorite group of organisms: Bugs! But, before you cringe at the thought of all bugs as being pests, ravaging your roses or zesting your ... READ MORE
Category: Home Landscapes
Found lacking her sense of urgency, she perused the leaves of eggplant fuzzy with their new growth. Swollen plump, but not quite ripe, tomatoes dripped along stalks, she examines and passes them by. Looking for something fragrant and unique, ... READ MORE
Category: Home Landscapes
Recommendations for your Florida apiary in January: This beekeeping calendar is a tool for all beekeepers in Florida, small scale to commercial operations. This calendar is meant to be a reference point for beekeeping management and is ... READ MORE
Category: Agriculture, Livestock, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension
Bees. We would literally be starving without them. A popular statistic declares that 1 out of every 3 bites we eat would be impossible without the work of bees. Why is this? Surely most of us don’t eat that much honey on a daily basis. ... READ MORE
Category: Natural Resources
People of all cultures have a love-hate relationship with bats. Feared for their portrayals after decades of horror movies and centuries of folklore, bats are also the ultimate must-have for Halloween decor. Florida has 13 species of ... READ MORE
Category: UF/IFAS
With a name like “assassin bug,” the tiny creature sounds like it could be the next star of a Marvel action movie. Leggy and intimidating, with black highlights and bright orange warning coloration, it could totally work as a comic book ... READ MORE
Category: Home Landscapes, Natural Resources
Are you looking for more than the traditional fall fair? Then mark your calendars for the UF/IFAS Ag-Xtension Fall and Insect Festival on Saturday, October 21, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Gather the entire family and set your GPS for the UF/IFAS ... READ MORE
Category: Conservation, Events, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research