For many people, mistletoe is a pest, while for others, it is a symbol of Christmas cheer. The origin of mistletoe as a Yuletide symbol came from the Norse and the Druids. Both had traditions that equated mistletoe with forgiveness and reconciliation. ... READ MORE
Category: Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Pests & Disease
Snakes play a critical role in our ecosystems, keeping rodent populations in check and supplying birds of prey with an excellent food source. But our snakes are facing a new threat, an invasive parasite, Raillietiella orientalis from Asia ... READ MORE
Category: Natural Resources
The presence of Mistletoe hung as part of holiday decorations provides the perfect excuse for kissing when partners find their way conveniently or deliberately underneath mistletoe’s leaves and white berries. While it seems that kissing under ... READ MORE
Category: Home Landscapes, Horticulture, UF/IFAS Extension
Giant invasive snakes: The problem with invasive species By now, we have all heard of the giant invasive snakes, such as the Burmese pythons now found in Everglades National Park. Like many animal species that become invasive, these pythons ... READ MORE
Category: Conservation, Invasive Species, Natural Resources, Wildlife
Vampires of all types and genetic modifications are hot topics these days, and a common, but uncommon looking and acting Florida weed may have combined the two subjects. Dodder, a native invasive, parasitic plant, reproduces by seed but ... READ MORE
Category: Natural ResourcesDid you know?Scientists with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Division of Plant industry (FDACS/DPI) have confirmed rat lungworm parasite, Angiostrongylus cantonensis, in samples of Giant African Land Snails (GALS) ... READ MORE
Category: Pests & Disease