A common pest in homes is the red-eyed fruit fly: Drosophila melanogaster. Famous for use in genetic studies, and infamous for emerging from store-bought bananas, management of this fly rarely requires more than discarding infested items outside of the home. Management of this fly’s cousin, the dark-eyed fruit fly (Drosophila repleta), also requires elimination of…Continue Reading Fruit Flies of a Different (eye) Color
NYS IPM Program Participates in Forthcoming Launch of a Statewide School Environmental Health Program
On June 18, NYS IPM Program staff met with a diverse group of people and organizations to develop a comprehensive effort to ensure that every child and school employee in the state have safe and healthy learning and working environments. The last of four meetings over a two-year period, the interaction was organized by the…Continue Reading NYS IPM Program Participates in Forthcoming Launch of a Statewide School Environmental Health Program
Don’t Let Carpenter Ants Renovate Your Home!
Carpenter ants are the most common ant pest found in the Northeastern United States. They cause structural damage when they excavate wood for nest sites. Unlike termites, carpenter ants do not eat wood, but rather scavenge on dead insects and collect sugary secretions (“honeydew”) produced by other insects such as aphids. Carpenter ants are a…Continue Reading Don’t Let Carpenter Ants Renovate Your Home!
Pest-Strips: A Kitchen No-No!
Beginning in about the year 2000, nearly all organophosphate pesticides became unavailable for use in homes. This was done primarily to limit exposure of children to active ingredients that negatively affect their health and development. Despite this extensive cancellation of organophosphates for structural pest management, one holdover active ingredient from that era remains today: dichlorvos…Continue Reading Pest-Strips: A Kitchen No-No!
Lawn IPM – Preparing for Summer
“Sopping, and with no sign of stopping, either- then a breather. Warm again, storm again- what is the norm, again? It’s fine, it’s not, it’s suddenly hot: Boom, crash, lightning flash!” – ― Old Farmer’s Almanac What a spring it has been. After a spring drought, the grass is now recovering (or finally coming out…Continue Reading Lawn IPM – Preparing for Summer
Black Widow Spiders – Not Just a Southern Thang!
Every so often the local news reports that a dangerous spider was found in supermarket-bought fruits, such as grapes and bananas from South America. Black widow spiders have appeared in the Northern part of the United States where, presumably, these spiders do not belong! And it’s newsworthy. What many people do not know is that…Continue Reading Black Widow Spiders – Not Just a Southern Thang!
Inspect for Wasps and Avoid the Sting
Yellowjackets, bald-faced hornets and paper wasps are stinging insects that nest on or near structures. While colony sizes start small, the population of stinging insects in nests grows over time and can result in hundreds to thousands of individuals in the case of yellowjackets. Whereas management of large nests requires the assistance of a professional,…Continue Reading Inspect for Wasps and Avoid the Sting
Understanding Over-the-Counter Sprays for Mosquitoes and Ticks
Summer is the season that brings us outdoors to enjoy picnics, barbecues and campfires. Unfortunately, blood-feeding arthropods such as mosquitoes and ticks can ruin our outdoor experiences by making us itch or by spreading disease. Over-the-counter sprays are one way that people avoid a forced retreat to the indoors. Choosing the right product and understanding…Continue Reading Understanding Over-the-Counter Sprays for Mosquitoes and Ticks