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Category: Pests & Disease

Gator cartoon and lubber grasshopper

Backyard Bugs: Identifying Insects in the Landscape

by Jackie Lebouitz
July 15, 2024

There are more than 12,500 species of insects...in Florida, alone! For the average person, it can be difficult to distinguish between common, garden-variety ladybugs. And, it can be just as difficult to understand the difference between a "good" ... READ MORE

Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Lawn, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, Turf, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, Wildlife
Tags: Bug, Garden, Insects, Landscape, Pests, Pgm_Chemicals, Plants, StarterKit
Mosquito on skin

Mosquito FAQs

by Jackie Lebouitz
June 21, 2024

Mosquitoes can be a nuisance, especially the species that pose a public health risk. Below are some of the common questions we receive from our clients at UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County and Sarasota County's Mosquito Management Services. Why ... READ MORE

Category: Home Landscapes, Home Management, Invasive Species, Lawn, Natural Resources, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS Extension, Water, Wildlife
Tags: Awareness, Control, Entomology, Management, Mosquito, Pgm_Chemicals, Treatment
Cat, Dog, Dog, guinea pig, cat, bunny, bunny, hamster, guinea pig

Protecting Our Pets

by Jackie Lebouitz and Maria Portelos-Rometo
April 25, 2024

Our pets are precious to us, and their safety should always be a priority. Follow these 10 tips to help keep your pet healthy and safe. You can click on each tip to learn more. Tip #1: Prevent heartworm. Tip #2: Use pet-safe scents. ... READ MORE

Category: Home Management, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS Extension, Work & Life
Tags: Bird, Cat, Chemicals, Disease, Dog, Essential Oils, Ferret, Food, Friends, Furry, Heartworm, Pet Safety, Pets, Pgm_Chemicals, Plants, Prevention, Scents, Toxic, Xylitol
Oak leafroller caterpillar on plant

Springtime Caterpillars

by Jackie Lebouitz
March 21, 2024

It's officially spring, and almost like clockwork, several seasonal caterpillars have begun to emerge from our trees...and may have found their way onto our walls, benches, and well, just about everywhere. While their presence may be a nuisance ... READ MORE

Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Forests, Home Landscapes, Natural Resources, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, Recreation, UF/IFAS Extension, Wildlife
Tags: Caterpillar, Echo Moth, Inchworm, Integrated Pest Management, Leafroller, Management, Pest, Pgm_Chemicals, Spring, Tussock
Altica spp. flea beetle

Leap into Learning: Flea Beetles

by Jackie Lebouitz
February 27, 2024

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
Tags: Beetle, Biocontrol, Control, Damage, Ecofriendly, Entomology, Flea, Insects, Pests, Pgm_Chemicals, Plant
Jackie Lebouitz using net to catch insects

Welcome Our New Chemicals in the Environment Agent

by Lee Hayes Byron and Jackie Lebouitz
December 18, 2023

At UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County, we often get questions about insect identification, treatment strategies, mosquito control, opportunities to protect and support pollinators, and how to apply best practices when using household chemicals. ... READ MORE

Category: Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, Professional Development
Tags: Fertilizer, Insect, Pest, Pesticide, Pgm_Chemicals, Staff, UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County

Water Talk: Common Questions and Thoughtful Answers

by Michael D'Imperio
May 25, 2023

Water touches every aspect of our lives, and is at the heart of many questions we receive at UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County. This "Water Talk" blog series will answer some of the most commonly asked water-related questions. Our Master ... READ MORE

Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Lawn, Pests & Disease, Water
Tags: Irrigation, Landscape, Lawn, Master Gardener Volunteers, MGV, Pgm_Water, Plant Clinic, Pond, Regulation, Vegetation, Water, WaterTalk

Practicing pesticide safety

by Carol Wyatt-Evens
February 1, 2023

February is Pesticide Safety Education month.  Whether using a conventional chemicals or biorational chemicals, understanding how to use the product safely is universal.  No product is 100% safe.  Remember they are used to control, prevent, ... READ MORE

Category: Home Landscapes, Lawn, Pests & Disease, Work & Life
Tags: Biorational, Environment, Horticulture, Landscape, Pest, Pesticide, Pesticides, Pgm_Chemicals, Polinator, Pollinators

Integrated Pest Management (IPM): A reasonable and responsible approach to pest control

by Carol Wyatt-Evens
January 11, 2023

You may have heard the term integrated pest management or the phrase ‘IPM’ tossed around in conversation by your pest control company, your landscape maintenance service, or even me - your local extension agent! So, you may be wondering ... READ MORE

Category: Home Landscapes, Lawn, Pests & Disease, Work & Life
Tags: IPM, Pest, Pesticide, Pesticides, Pgm_Chemicals, WaysToSave

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