The New York State Integrated Pest Management Program lost a wonderful collaborator and friend recently with the passing of Peter Castronovo. Dr. Jody Gangloff-Kaufmann, NYSIPM Community IPM Coordinator. “Peter was a dedicated IPM practitioner for the University of Rochester, including Strong Memorial Hospital and the Memorial Art Gallery. He was a reliable colleague and friend…Continue Reading A Tribute to Peter Castronovo
Ground Bees – What Can I Do?
It’s time to revisit my 2015 post about ground bees. That entry was intended to help people understand the critter in their yard, but people want to know – what can I do about them? Recommendation 1: Let them Bee. Ground bees are not like the common honey bee, nor are they similar to yellowjackets….Continue Reading Ground Bees – What Can I Do?
World BEE Day 2020
Protecting bees and other pollinators has become an important social issue. But beekeeping, and the 20,000 species of bees worldwide, have been providing livelihoods, much of our food supply, and important biodiversity for thousands of years. Today, we help celebrate the first official World Bee Day as proclaimed by the U.N. through their food and…Continue Reading World BEE Day 2020
Our 2018-2019 Annual Report #7 Organic Farming…and Don’t Get Ticked NY
Stubborn Pests: Organic Solutions All crops have pests. Managing them on certified organic farms is firmly rooted in IPM practices such as crop rotation, sanitation, and the use of pest-resistant varieties. In fact, it’s written into the regulations. But despite the best IPM prevention practices, pesticides are still needed for certain stubborn pests. With organic…Continue Reading Our 2018-2019 Annual Report #7 Organic Farming…and Don’t Get Ticked NY
Our 2018-2019 Annual Report #6- Certified Crop Advisor Training; Saving the Douglas-fir
Certifiably IPM Growers and crop consultants need training like everyone else, so they go to school. The Northeast Region Certified Crop Advisers (NRCCA) offer regional and international certifications. NRCCA has online courses and a three-day intensive training conference covering four competency areas. And did we mention exams? Becoming a certified crop advisor takes dedication. The…Continue Reading Our 2018-2019 Annual Report #6- Certified Crop Advisor Training; Saving the Douglas-fir
Rats in the time of Coronavirus Isolation
As an entomologist that specializes in pest management, the Coronavirus outbreak has resulted in some unique concerns. Recent attention has focused on how human isolation affects rodent populations, but other challenges await. Fear of food shortages led residents to stock up on items like flour, rice and pasta. With grocery store shelves restocked and a…Continue Reading Rats in the time of Coronavirus Isolation
Our 2018-2019 Annual Report: #5 Pollinator Habitat, and NEWA
If You Build It, Will They Come? Dwindling bee numbers is a problem. The question is not should we protect pollinators and create habitat, but how? What’s the best method? The most economical? The best bee habitats—made up of plants of varying sizes and bloom times—are easy on the eye. They’re also excellent real estate…Continue Reading Our 2018-2019 Annual Report: #5 Pollinator Habitat, and NEWA
Asian Giant Hornets – A Concern for New York?
By now many Americans reading or watching the news have heard about “murder hornets” from Asia invading the American landscape. It is true that in many parts of East Asia, Japan in particular, a large hornet lives and feasts upon honey bees and other insects. This is the Asian giant hornet (AGH), or Vespa mandarinia,…Continue Reading Asian Giant Hornets – A Concern for New York?
Our 2018-2019 Annual Report: #4 Tick Management!
Getting Schooled in Tick Management (Above) Success! With his pants tucked into his socks, and having just assembled his own tick drag mat, workshop attendee Fred Koelbel has a right to feel accomplished. Thanks to the Long Island host district, Three Village—and our training—he’s now ready to reduce the incidence of tick bite risk in…Continue Reading Our 2018-2019 Annual Report: #4 Tick Management!
Our 2018-2019 Annual Report: #4 In the Weeds and For the Birds
In the Weeds Herbicide resistant weeds. Got ‘em? Worried about ‘em? There are some bad ones out there. Some of the baddest in New York are horseweed, waterhemp, and Palmer amaranth. A result of repeated exposure to the same chemical sprays, these plants have given us all a lesson on the power of selection pressure….Continue Reading Our 2018-2019 Annual Report: #4 In the Weeds and For the Birds