Category: Invasive Species

Florida’s Hidden Invaders: Teaching Youth About Invasive Species

by Clarissa Chairez
March 19, 2026

Welcome back to our Florida’s Hidden Invaders Blog Series where we focus on spreading awareness of invasive species and their impacts. In this section we will focus on teaching youth about invasive species. Studies show that learning through ... READ MORE

Category: 4-H & Youth, Invasive Species
Tags: 4-H, Florida's Hidden Invaders, Invasive Species, Ocextension, Summer Camp, UF/IFAS Extension Orange County, Youth Educational Game

Florida’s Hidden Invaders: Invasive Plants in Our Yards Part 1

by Clarissa Chairez
August 18, 2025

Walk through almost any Florida neighborhood and you’ll probably spot a few invasive plants without even realizing it. Many were originally planted for their beauty, drought tolerance, or easy care—but those same qualities make them quick ... READ MORE

Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, HOME LANDSCAPES, Invasive Species
Tags: Florida Friendly, Florida Gardening, Florida Wildlife, Florida's Hidden Invaders, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Garden, Gardening, Horticulture, Invasive Species, Invasives, Landscape, Landscape Management, Native Plants, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Extension Orange County

Florida’s Hidden Invaders: Invasive Houseplants

by Clarissa Chairez
August 11, 2025

Welcome back to our Florida’s Hidden Invaders Blog Series where we focus on spreading awareness of invasive species and their impacts. In this section we will focus on houseplants that become invasive if planted in the landscape. For much ... READ MORE

Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, HOME LANDSCAPES, Home Management, Horticulture, Invasive Species
Tags: Florida Friendly, Florida Gardening, Florida Wildlife, Florida's Hidden Invaders, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Garden, Gardening, Horticulture, Invasive Species, Invasives, Landscape, Landscape Management, Native Plants, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Extension Orange County

Florida’s Hidden Invaders: Tackling Invasive Species

by Clarissa Chairez
August 8, 2025

Welcome to our Florida's Hidden Invaders Blog Series where we focus on spreading awareness of invasive species and their impacts. In this introduction section we will focus on what invasive species are, common traits, how they get here, and ... READ MORE

Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, HOME LANDSCAPES, Horticulture, Invasive Species
Tags: Florida Friendly, Florida Gardening, Florida Wildlife, Florida's Hidden Invaders, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Garden, Gardening, Horticulture, Invasive Species, Invasives, Landscape, Landscape Management, Native Plants, Ocextension, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Extension Orange County

Ambrosia Beetles: Small Insects, Big Impact

by Heather Kalaman
December 6, 2024

Ambrosia beetles are small, yet impactful, insects in Florida, playing both beneficial and harmful roles in local ecosystems. Our state is home to both native and invasive species, which aid in breaking down dead wood, contributing to nutrient ... READ MORE

Category: Agribusiness, AGRICULTURE, Blog Community, Conservation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Forests, Fruits & Vegetables, HOME LANDSCAPES, Invasive Species, Lawn, Natural Resources, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research, UF/IFAS Teaching
Tags: Avocado Tree, Beetles, Florida Friendly, Florida Friendly Landscaping Agent, Pests, Plant Pests, Sustainable Landscape, Tree Pests

Golden Rain Tree: The Allure of the Invasive Intruder

by Heather Kalaman
November 6, 2023

It is officially fall in Florida. Temperatures are dropping, the holidays are just around the corner, and *gasp* the notorious golden rain trees have finally set fruit! Oh, you know the one. Adorned with sprawling limbs covered in peach-colored, ... READ MORE

Category: AGRICULTURE, Conservation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Forests, HOME LANDSCAPES, Horticulture, Invasive Species, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research, UF/IFAS Teaching
Tags: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Invasive Ornamentals, Invasive Plants, Ornamentals, Residential Horticulture, UF/IFAS Extension Orange County

Lakefront and Aquatic Landscaping

by Tia Silvasy
February 15, 2022

Protecting the waterfront is Principle #9 in Florida-Friendly Landscaping. Waterfront areas can include lakefronts, ponds, ditches, other water bodies and environmentally sensitive areas. So, what makes a nice aquatic landscape?• Full of ... READ MORE

Category: AGRICULTURE, Conservation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Fruits & Vegetables, HOME LANDSCAPES, Invasive Species, Lawn, Natural Resources, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS Extension, Water, Wildlife, WORK & LIFE
Tags: Aquatic, Central Florida, Ditch, Florida Friendly, Invasive Plants, Lake, Lakefront, Landscape, Ocextension, Plants, Pond, Waterfront, Wildlife

Non-native Invasive Plants Common to Central Florida

by Tia Silvasy
September 1, 2021

Part of having a Florida-Friendly landscape is following principle #1, Right Plant, Right Place. Criteria for being the right plant for the right place include: • Suitable for our climate (Central Florida is USDA Hardiness Zone 9B) • ... READ MORE

Category: AGRICULTURE, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, HOME LANDSCAPES, Invasive Species, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Central Florida, Exotic Invasive, Florida Friendly, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Gardening, Home Landscape, Horticulture, Invasive Plants, Landscape Management, Ocextension, Plants, Trees, Tsilvasy

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