Pest Control Alerts – Page 14 – Center for Urban Agriculture

UGA Urban Pest Management Webinar Series

September 20, 2015February 7, 2014 by Willie Chance

Come experience the future of training for Georgia’s pest management industry! The University of Georgia’s College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, powered by the Digital Innovation Group, has developed a training program that will allow pest management professionals to obtain re-certification and re-registration credit on-line, in the comfort of their home or office. Although anyone, anywhere can attend, CCU/CEU credit is granted for pest management professionals in GA, FL, AL, SC, NC, and TN.

All your computer will need is the ability to access the internet. No special software is needed on your part. Logging on, watching a live online presentation (called a webinar), and then going back to work is just a few mouse clicks away. No more long drives and time off work to acquire credits!

Mark your calendar for the 2014 webinar series (all webinars 8:00 to 10:00 am).

February 19. Dr. Nancy Hinkle, University of Georgia on Delusory Parasitosis (See archive here)
April 16. Dr. Susan Jones, The Ohio State University on Bed Bug Monitoring
June 18. Mr. Elmer Gray, University of Georgia on Mosquito Biology
August 20. Dr. Brian Forschler, University of Georgia on Termite Biology and Dan Suiter, University of Georgia on Demystifying Wood-eating Beetles
October 15. Dr. Karen Vail, Univ. of TN, Dept. of Entomology on An Integrated Approach to Managing Odorous House Ants and Dr. Eric Benson, Clemson University, Dept of Entomology on Stopping the Occasion of the Occasional Invaders
December 10. Dr. Ron Harrison, Orkin Technical Services on Bed Bug Control and Dr. Faith Oi , Univ of FL, Dept. of Ent. The Tawny Crazy Ant

How the Program Will Work. Several weeks prior to the event, Dr. Dan Suiter will announce the webinar by email. In the email will be instructions on how to register. If you’d like to be put on his mailing list, simply send an email to Dr. Suiter at dsuiter@uga.edu, and note that you’d like to be notified when registration for each webinar opens. Or, if you’d simply like to learn more about the series feel free to call Dan at 770-233-6114 to chat.

Hope to see you on-line!
Dan Suiter, Ph.D.
Department of Entomology
College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
University of Georgia, Griffin Campus
1109 Experiment St, Griffin, GA 30223

Disposing of excess pesticides in a safe manner

September 18, 2015January 31, 2014 by Willie Chance

Most certified pesticide applicators eventually run into a situation where they have old or excess pesticides that they no longer use. How can commercial pesticide applicators properly dispose of these pesticides?

Here are some tips from the Georgia Department of Agriculture and UGA Extension:

1. First, do not dispose of these pesticides in an illegal or unsafe way. Do not pour them into storm drains and other drains, put them into trash cans, or use other similar disposal methods. These disposal systems do not have the ability to degrade these pesticides properly and the pesticide can quickly put people and the environment at risk. This may also cause a liability problem for you personally or for your company. Local waste management services are often not equipped to handle pesticide disposal, but you can contact them to ask about their policies.

2. The best method to dispose of old or unwanted pesticides is by using it per label directions. Be careful to use it on a labeled crop, at the labeled rate with all recommended precautions. Even with an old pesticide that may not effectively kill the labeled pest, follow the label! Just because a pesticide is old and perhaps ineffective for its original use, does not mean it is not toxic. Follow all label precautions when applying any pesticide including wearing the required personal protection equipment. We are seeing more impacts of pesticides on people and the environment and we must all work to avoid these!

Apply the pesticide in a place where it is least likely to impact people and the environment. Consider that though you must use the pesticide per the label, you do not necessarily have to use the pesticide for the purpose or location for which you bought it. For instance, you may have bought a pesticide for use inside a structure. It may not make sense to apply the pesticide inside just to get rid of it. The same pesticide may also be labeled for use outside in a field, forest, lawn, landscape etc. When disposing of pesticides by applying them, select a location where there will be less risk to people or the environment. However, the location and application method you select must be allowed by the label.

3. If the pesticide is not too old, share it with someone who will use the pesticide legally. The exception to this would be restricted use pesticides (RUPs). Do not share RUPs with someone else, but rather use them yourself. If you give an RUP to another person and they use it incorrectly, you may be liable. And remember – the RUP pesticide was purchased under your license number!

When sharing a pesticide consider that:

The pesticide must remain in the original container and with the label.
The user must follow all label directions. Select a pesticide applicator to receive the pesticide that will be willing and able to legitimately use the chemical according to the label.

4. Certain companies dispose of pesticides for a fee. There will usually be a set up fee and a per pound fee. If you must go this route, try to gather all your un-needed pesticides at one time so that you pay only one set-up fee. The company may also be able to dispose of other unwanted chemicals for you.

5. Container disposal – Empty metal, plastic or glass pesticide containers should be pressured rinsed or triple rinsed. The rinse water should be directed into the spray tank. Containers must then be crushed or punctured to prevent reuse. Once containers are cleaned this way, they can be recycled or disposed of in a landfill. Contact your local Extension office for information on recycling programs.

Paper pesticide containers must be fully emptied and then torn to make sure they are empty. They can then be wrapped in paper and disposed of as solid waste in a landfill. It is illegal to burn empty pesticide bags in Georgia!

6. The GA Department of Agriculture realized the need for pesticide disposal and implemented a very successful pesticide disposal program called the GA Clean Days. From its inception through 2008 the GA Clean Days disposed of more than 2 million pounds of pesticides! This program had not been funded for several years but Georgia Department of Agriculture received funding for five Clean Days in 2013. The Department of Agriculture hopes that the program will be funded again in 2014. Interested individuals may want to contact their state legislators to express an interest in seeing the program funded again in 2014. For more information on GA Clean Days or other pesticide issues, contact Joshua Wiley at Joshua.Wiley@agr.georgia.gov. See an article on the 2013 GA Clean Day program here.

7. Reduce the need to dispose of pesticides by following these tips:

Buy only the amount of pesticide you will use quickly.
Use pesticides before they get old. Use your oldest stock first so that none of your pesticides become too old to use. This means labeling the container with the date you bought the pesticide so you can use the oldest first.
Proper handling and storage, per label directions, may lengthen the effective life of the pesticide. For instance – allowing liquid pesticides to freeze can ruin their effectiveness. Read the label for storage and use information.

In summary:

Using unwanted pesticides per label directions is usually the best disposal method, even if you think the pesticide may not effectively control the pest.
Read the pesticide label to select a place and application method to apply the pesticide that is both legal and safe for people and the environment.
Apply the pesticide to this site following all label directions and precautions including any required personal protection equipment and posting.
Containers must be properly cleaned before disposal. Disposal method depends on the container type.

For more information see these publications. Some information in this article was taken from some of these references:

The pesticide label may contain other disposal information or contact the Georgia Department of Agriculture – (800) 282-5852
See the publications – Safe Handling of Pesticides or Use Pesticides Safely
Contact your local UGA Extension Office.

Disposing of excess pesticides in a safe manner

October 4, 2015January 27, 2014 by Willie Chance

Image credit – USDA Forest Service – Region 8 – Southern Archive, Bugwood.org

Here are some tips from the Georgia Department of Agriculture and UGA Extension:

When sharing a pesticide consider that:

The pesticide must remain in the original container and with the label.
The user must follow all label directions. Select a pesticide applicator to receive the pesticide that will be willing and able to legitimately use the chemical according to the label.

4. Certain companies dispose of pesticides for a fee. There will usually be a set up fee and a per pound fee. If you must go this route, try to gather all your unneeded pesticides at one time so that you pay only one set-up fee. The company may also be able to dispose of other unwanted chemicals for you.

7. Reduce the need to dispose of pesticides by following these tips:

Buy only the amount of pesticide you will use quickly.
Use pesticides before they get old. Use your oldest stock first so that none of your pesticides become too old to use. This means labeling the container with the date you bought the pesticide so you can use the oldest first.
Proper handling and storage, per label directions, may lengthen the effective life of the pesticide. For instance – allowing liquid pesticides to freeze can ruin their effectiveness. Read the label for storage and use information.

In summary:

Using unwanted pesticides per label directions is usually the best disposal method, even if you think the pesticide may not effectively control the pest.
Read the pesticide label to select a place and application method to apply the pesticide that is both legal and safe for people and the environment.
Apply the pesticide to this site following all label directions and precautions including any required personal protection equipment and posting.
Containers must be properly cleaned before disposal. Disposal method depends on the container type.

For more information see these publications. Some information in this article was taken from some of these references:

The pesticide label may contain other disposal information or contact the Georgia Department of Agriculture – (800) 282-5852
See the publications – Safe Handling of Pesticides or Use Pesticides Safely
Contact your local UGA Extension Office.

Videos: Sustainable and integrated pest management practices for nurseries

October 4, 2015December 18, 2013 by Willie Chance

University of Georgia and University of Florida have partnered to produce a series of short videos to help nursery producers to better understand and to more effectively use sustainable practices.

You can find the list of videos and view them here.

For more information on this project visit this site.

One of the latest videos covers Integrated Pest Management (IPM). The video includes an overview of IPM including sanitation, irrigation and sustainable pest management. See the IPM video here.

Other topics are listed below. Visit the home site to view these videos.

General Sustainability / Introduction
Container Production
Energy Efficiency
Fertilization
General Irrigation
General Production
Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
Runoff Management & Reclaimed Water Use
Recycling and Re-purposing
Substrates

Information taken from the Southeast Ornamental Horticulture Production and IPM blog.

Arborist info from Georgia Urban Forestry Council

September 24, 2015December 13, 2013 by Willie Chance

This info taken from the Georgia Urban Forestry Council E-Newsletter

Spaces are still available in the January 14-15 Arborist Certification Review Class, for those planning to take the ISA Arborist Exam. This class will be held at the Wetlands Educational Center in Richmond Hill. Scholarship are available for tree boards and tree care workers employed by a city, county, school or university who are not ISA Certified Arborists. Certified arborists who would like to take the class as a refresher course can receive 12.75 ISA CEUs. For more details, visit www.gufc.org.

Many presentations from GUFC’s October Annual Conference, “Tree Canopy and Green Infrastructure: Creating Vibrant and Healthy Communities,” can be founded on our website here.

Oregon State University (OSU) is pleased to announce the availability of two online urban forestry courses during Winter Quarter 2014 (January 6 – March 21, 2014). FES/HORT 350 Urban Forestry is an introductory undergraduate course the covers a wide range of urban forestry concepts and topics, and is suitable for anyone wanting a comprehensive understanding of the urban forestry discipline. FES/HORT 455/555 Urban Forest Planning Policy and Management is an upper level undergraduate/graduate course that offers a detailed look at the complex challenges faced by urban forestry professionals. Read more here.

The Arbor Day Foundation is seeking nominations for its Arbor Day Awards Program, where they recognize outstanding individuals, environmental leaders and innovative organizations for their sustainable conservation efforts. Learn more about this awards program and nominate a deserving candidate here. Deadline is December 31.

The December 31st deadline for applying for Tree Campus USA status or for recertification is coming up soon – click here.

You can also apply or recertify for Tree City USA, or learn more about the program, at their portal link.

Also, learn more about Tree Line USA, which recognizes best practices in utility arboriculture at this site.

Cool wet summer will probably be followed by dry winter with temperature swings

September 18, 2015December 12, 2013 by Willie Chance

Pam Knox, Agricultural Climatologist with UGA Department of Crop and Soil Science

In the last 12 months Georgia saw the tale of drought and one of the wettest springs and summers on record. Then abnormally dry conditions returned. 2013 has been a climatic roller coaster to say the least.

Overall, the above-normal rainfall delayed planting, prevented farmers from getting into their fields and increased some fungal diseases and pests. The rain did result in lush growth, but persistent cloudiness across the state also delayed crop development once they were established.

As the rainfall diminished in the fall, abnormally dry conditions returned to some parts of the state as the growing season came to a close. This caused grazing pastures to turn brown earlier than usual.

A year for the record books

Several stations in the state accumulated noteworthy rainfalls this growing season, measured during the seven-month period from May through October.

Most notable was Macon, which had its third wettest April to October in 122 years of record keeping, with 41.71 inches. Climatologists had to go back to 1928 to find a wetter growing season. That year climatologists reported 42.89 inches during the same period.

Macon is also currently setting a record for year-to-date rainfall with 60.45 inches, ahead of the 59.88-inch record set in 1929. Macon also had its fifth coldest summer this year, due in part to the cloudiness and rainy conditions.

Atlanta experienced its fourth wettest year, in the 136 years that people have been keeping records, with 39.37 inches. The last time Atlanta received this much rain was in 2009 (40.87 inches), which included the significant flooding event of September 2009 that affected much of the Atlanta metropolitan area.

Columbus reported its fourteenth-wettest growing season in 66 years of record. However, it is interesting to note that Columbus experienced three of its five wettest growing seasons in the last decade — in 2003 (fourth), 2005 (third) and 2009 (second).

Drier times return

Despite this summers’ rains, conditions have become much drier across Georgia this fall, and abnormally dry conditions returned to a significant part of Georgia for the first time since April. The National Weather Service cooperative observer in Warrenton (Warren County) reported no precipitation in October. This was the driest October they have had in 100 years of record.

The Climate Prediction Center of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predict these drier than usual conditions will continue through the next few months. The highest chance of dry conditions is in southern Georgia, stretching south into Florida.

No El Niño or La Niña, so expect lots of fluctuation

According to NOAA, there are equal chances for above, near or below normal temperatures through the winter.

One reason this trend can be projected is the current status of the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is neutral, which means that neither an El Niño nor La Niña is likely to occur this winter. These neutral ENSO conditions are expected to continue until at least next summer.

In neutral ENSO conditions, Georgia does not experience a strong trend toward above or below normal rainfall or temperature. However, the state does tend to experience large swings in temperature between warm and frigid conditions. The chance of a late frost in the spring following a neutral winter is increased, although still relatively rare.

If we experience a warm spell in early spring, gardeners and farmers are likely to want to get started planting early to take advantage of the warm conditions. However, the increased chance of a swing back to cold temperatures, and the potential for frost, should make them proceed with caution. Watch the weather carefully before starting the planting process.

For more information see November’s lows and highs are a preview of winter’s weather

Discovery of parasitic wasp could be game changer in kudzu bug battle

September 18, 2015December 11, 2013 by Willie Chance

See full article from the SR IPM site here

Originally published in Southeast Farm Press

By Jim Langcuster, Alabama Cooperative Extension System

Within only a few days after discovering a native parasitic fly that may reduce kudzu bug numbers significantly over time, Alabama Cooperative Extension System Specialist and Auburn University Researcher Xing Ping Hu has discovered a local egg-parasitic wasp.

This finding — the first discovery of an indigent wasp that parasitizes eggs of the exotic kudzu bug — could prove to be a game changer in the fight against this invasive species, Hu says.

Along with the earlier finding of a fly that preys on kudzu bug adults, Hu says the discovery of this parasitic egg wasp doubles the frontline of defense using natural enemies to fight this exotic pest.

“This local parasitoid wasp has demonstrated a high capacity to reduce significantly the populations of kudzu bugs in soybean fields,” she says.

The discovery was made by Hu’s research assistant, Auburn University graduate student Julian Golec, during a routine investigation of kudzu bug damage in a soybean field.

Hu says kudzu bugs are no different than any other insect species introduced into a new area. Figuratively speaking, entering an area with no known local predators is like drawing a lucky lotto number: the species thrives and its numbers mushroom as it develops into a full-blown invasive species, often wreaking havoc within its new environment.

“That’s why they become invasive in the first place,” Hu says. “They have no natural enemies to balance the ecosystem.”

“It’s as if they’re saying, ‘No one can mess with me so I can do what I want.’”

On the other hand, an incoming species draws an unlucky lotto number if it enters an environment teeming with natural enemies. In such cases, the species’ numbers may spike for a few years until local predators respond to the new species.

In the case of some invasive species, such as the red imported fire ant, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has stepped in to identify predators from the invasive species’ native habitat that could be introduced to reduce their numbers.

Read the rest in Southeast Farm Press

Conversion Tables, Formulas and Suggested Guidelines for Horticultural Use

September 24, 2015December 9, 2013 by Willie Chance

Bodie V. Pennisi, Gary L. Wade, Melvin P. Garber, Paul A. Thomas and James T. Midcap, Horticulture Department Originally prepared by S.C. Myers and A.J. Lewis, Extension Horticulturists

Formulas for calculating greenhouse volume

Uneven-span greenhouses
Quonset structures
Even-span greenhouses

Pesticide and fertilizer recommendations are often made on a pounds per acre and tons per acre basis. While these may be applicable to field production of many crops, orchardists, nurserymen and greenhouse operators often must convert these recommendations to smaller areas, such as row feet, square feet, or even per tree or per pot. Thus pints, cups, ounces, tablespoons and teaspoons are the common units of measure. The conversion is frequently complicated by metric units of measure. This publication is designed to aid growers in making these calculations and conversions, and also provides other data useful in the management, planning and operation of horticultural enterprises.

See the entire publication here

People and pests head indoors for the winter

September 24, 2015December 9, 2013 by Willie Chance

Editor’s note – Although this article is written for homeowners, this information may help pest control professionals to identify these occasional pests in the home. Fall is a great time to be proactive in pest management and to pest proof homes. See this publication for information on proactive pest management.

Sharon Dowdy, news editor with the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.

As temperatures begin to drop, people head indoors. Unfortunately, insects like to stay warm, too, and often choose our homes as refuge. “We are getting cold snaps at night, and it triggers insects to find some place to come inside for the winter,” said Dan Suiter, a University of Georgia Extension entomologist. “They are just reacting to external conditions.”

Caulk and spray

To help keep pests from picking your home as a winter retreat, Suiter says inspect your home for openings that insects use as entryways. Seal any cracks and crevices with caulk, or fill them with steel wool.As an extra precaution, spray an insecticide around the perimeter or your home, especially to those areas on the structure where they might enter.“It’s not a bad idea to do some spot applications of insecticides. This way when the insects encounter those deposits they will be exposed to the insecticides and be killed,” Suiter said.

Photo credit – Asian lady beetle, W. Louis Tedders, Jr. USDA ARS SE Fruit and Tree Nut Laboratory, Byron GA and Beneficial Insectry, Oak Run, CA

Lady beetles

Multicolored Asian lady beetles are the most common unwelcome house guests this time of year. In the summer months, these beetles are a welcome sight in gardens as they eat aphids, a pest of many vegetable plants and ornamental plants.

“They are great for biological control, but in the fall they start coming indoors and it’s a different story,” Suiter said.

Smokybrown Cockroaches

Probably the most unpopular pests of homeowners is often found scurrying across kitchen floors at night – the smokybrown cockroach. Just one cockroach egg capsule holds about 15 to 18 eggs and a female lays one per week in her six-month life.

“There are peak populations this time of year. It came from Japan, and it’s been here a long time,” Suiter said. “It’s really desiccation susceptible, so it’s especially in areas where relative humidity is very high.”

Suiter said many urban pests are indicators of more severe problems.

“Usually, it’s a moisture problem. If you have a lot (of pests) in your attic, you probably have a leak,” he said.

Stink bugs

Brown marmorated stink bugs also like to overwinter indoors. Native to Asia, this stink bug was first spotted in Georgia in 2010. It can be found on a wide range of host plants.

“It’s a major, major nuisance pest in the Northeast and it’s headed south,” he said. “We see them in Georgia, we just haven’t seen the numbers they have seen in the North.”

Boxelder bugs and carpet beetles

Another indoor pest, the boxelder bug, can be found on maple trees, too. Ironically, when you kill boxelder bugs, you will likely end up with a secondary pest – carpet beetles, Suiter said.

“If you kill them inside you can end up with carpet beetles. They feed on dead boxelder bugs and their populations can be enormous,” he said.

Sugar cane beetles

Sugar cane beetles may not come inside homes, but they will chew on the outside. They are a late summer invader that shows up in large populations and feeds on grasses. “It’s a scarab beetle, and when it emerges it’s attracted to lights on houses,” he said. “They have really strong hind legs and can chew through siding.”

Chinch bugs

Chinch bugs are fall pests that also feed on grasses. They are about a half-inch long and show up by the thousands. “They may not come indoors, but they like to crawl under siding,” Suiter said.

When selecting a treatment method for these pests, Suiter warns homeowners not to purchase ultrasound devices.“They have been researched by multiple research facilities, and there’s a lot of data to show they don’t work,” he said.For more on controlling household pests, see the UGA Extension publication Management of Pest Insects In and Around the Home. This publication has information on identifying insects, preventing pest problems and other control methods.