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News you can use
- Last Chance Virtual School IPM Coordinator training
- Statewide pest management trainings for school coordinators start in March
- From pests to pollutants, keeping schools healthy and clean is no simple task
- SPN: Warm-Season Turfgrass Fall/Winter Preparation
- Uninvited vultures draw community ire: AgriLife provides solutions to human-vulture conflict
Tag Archives: fire ants
SPN: While the humans are away the pests will play
Since March 23, 2020, most TX schools have been closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, during this time the most common pests of TX have not taken a break from your campuses. Even though our AgriLife Extension offices are closed we are still working from home and insect questions are still coming in. Over the past month we have seen an increase in stinging caterpillars mostly in the San Antonio and Hill county region of the state. There will be a special story on that coming later… Read More →
SPN: Focusing on grounds and turf areas
April showers brings weeds, fire ants and few other pests that can impact your outdoor areas. Even though most of us are limited on traveling, our home lawns, as well as our public spaces still need to be maintained, if we don’t additional pest issues like rats and snakes will move in. This issue will focus on several fact sheets that have been developed by Extension Specialists to help you manage your outdoor surroundings. WHAT IS THAT MOUND??? We have all seen them, a mound in the yard… Read More →
SPN: Hot Weather Pests and Remember to Monitor
Hot Weather and Pests By Dr. Mike Merchant It’s summer in Texas and either you saw too much rain this spring, or not enough but no matter where you live the summer pests are out. Some pests are more troublesome during extreme conditions, while others flourish during more typical conditions. Here are a few observations concerning current weather conditions and pests. Millipede mass migrations commonly occur in the fall, but can also happen in the spring and summer. Above average rainfall is likely to blame for this year’s… Read More →
SPN: Are You Ready for Those Spring Pests?
As the rain falls, so does our chances to bring a wide variety of pests into our homes and schools. Two of the most common for spring are termites and ants. As April approaches so does the emergence of termites. Termites that swarm are actually doing building maintenance a favor. While you may find the idea crazy that termite swarming is doing you a favor, understanding termite biology will make the idea more acceptable. Termites can damage buildings undetected for a long time because of their secretive, underground… Read More →
School Pest News, Volume 14, Issue 2, February 2015
All Bugs Good & Bad Webinar Series- Fire Ant Management Using Baits Blog post by Mrs. Wizzie Brown When: Friday, March 6, 2015 at 1PM CST Link: http://connect.extension.iastate.edu/fireant Cost: FREE Learn how to make the biology of fire ants work for you not against you. This webinar presented by Dr. Lawrence “Fudd” Graham from Auburn University will discuss fire ant baits and other control methods. It will also provide the latest information on the Pseudacteon phorid flies, natural enemies of fire ants. Moderated by Dani Carroll and Bethany O’Rear, Regional… Read More →
School Pest News, Volume 13, Issue 3, March 2014
Fire Ant Control: The Two-Step Method and Other Approaches When it comes to insect pests, fire ants would probably top everyone’s list! Red and black imported fire ants (Solenopsis invicta and Solenopsis richteri) are invasive species and their painful bites can injure or kill livestock, wildlife, domestic animals, and humans. Their large mounds (as many as 300 per acre) are unsightly and often damage mowers and other equipment. Fire ants also infest buildings and can damage electrical equipment by chewing on wire insulation. Fire ants cost Americans $6… Read More →
Fire Ant Basics
When it comes to fire ants, pay attention to detail By: Dr. Mike Merchant In case you missed it, last month a 13-year old middle school student died as a result of fire ant stings he suffered during half-time on a Corpus Christi, Texas football field. The student, Cameron Espinosa, was on the sidelines when he complained of difficulty breathing after receiving fire ant stings on the field. He collapsed and died several days later from complications due to an apparent anaphylactic reaction to fire ant venom. The… Read More →
School Pest News, Volume 12, Issue 6, September 2013
Imported Fire Ants the Cause of Death in Texas By Maggie Lawrence, Auburn University The biting, stinging fire ant is a nuisance most people are far too familiar with, but few recognize the life-threatening danger these small pests pack in their punch. Recently, a Texas teen died after numerous fire ant stings during a junior high football game in Corpus Christi. Allergic reactions to fire ant bites are rare, but require quick thinking and proactive first aid work. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Program Specialist, Janet Hurley, works… Read More →
News in Brief on Turf Pests and Fire Ants
Turfgrass knowledge online (Dr. Mike Merchant) Maintaining a healthy lawn does not have to be difficult, but does require know-how. There are a number of excellent online resources at Texas A&M AgriLife to help you get the lawn you want. Integrated pest management starts from the ground up…literally. Nowhere is this more evident than your lawn. The foundation for good turf pest management is good lawn care. And if you want advice on the best varieties, proper soil preparation, correct fertility, and watering, you should head out right… Read More →
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