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!
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
All Buzz and No Sting
The sound of buzzing in our ears is one that evokes terror. Even as an entomologist, I can only stand the sound for a short time before I involuntarily swat at my winged assailant. If this is your reaction too – know that you’re not alone. Our distress over the buzzing of a flying insect,…Continue Reading All Buzz and No Sting
Blossoms for your honey(bee)
It’s time to think about gardens full of flowers – and to visit greenhouses full of color to add to your own landscape! If you’ve heard about garden center plants containing pesticides – in particular neonicitinoids – that are toxic to honeybees and other native pollinators, you might wonder if you should still buy those…Continue Reading Blossoms for your honey(bee)
Ticks are disgusting
Ticks are disgusting, but don’t take my word for it. Aristotle, Cato, and Pliny all referred to ticks as “disgusting parasites”. Unfortunately, they pose a greater risk than making you feel like you have things crawling on you. They are a public health risk because they can transmit several diseases, including Lyme disease….Continue Reading Ticks are disgusting
Make Every Day Arbor Day – contributed by Paul Hetzler
Muskrat Day. Velcro Appreciation Month. Hair Follicle Hygiene Week. Arbor Day. You know it’s an obscure event when the greeting-card trade hasn’t bothered to capitalize on it. I like to think the industry knows Arbor Day is worthy of a Hallmark line, but that they’ve decided to honor its spirit by conserving paper. (C’mon, it’s…Continue Reading Make Every Day Arbor Day – contributed by Paul Hetzler
Ground Bees Come in Peace
One of the first springtime insects that homeowners observe are ground bees. These insects create ant-hill like mounds in areas of bare soil with a ¼” opening in the center (about the thickness of a pencil). On warm, sunny days there may be dozens to hundreds of bees flying low to the ground among the…Continue Reading Ground Bees Come in Peace
Lawn IPM—Getting Ahead of the Weeds
“…winter, will be forced to relent, once again, to the new beginnings of soft greens, longer light, and the sweet air of spring.” – Madeleine M. Kunin As spring progresses and temperatures continue to rise, lawns are recovering from the long winter. As the grass grows and the dry tips are mowed off, areas that…Continue Reading Lawn IPM—Getting Ahead of the Weeds
Lawn care and the spring itch
“April hath put a spirit of youth in everything.” ― William Shakespeare It’s Spring (with a capital S) and the urge to get outside and work in the yard is mounting. When it comes to your lawn, what should you be thinking about and doing as April progresses? Ahhh, spring. Waiting for the grass to…Continue Reading Lawn care and the spring itch
For IPM, Looking Back Means Looking Ahead
2015 marks our 30th anniversary here at NYS IPM. With age comes a new approach to our Year in Review — to our annual report. Yes, as always our focus is real science for real people. But “commodity driven” has long been our organizing principle. This year our Year in Review will be different —…Continue Reading For IPM, Looking Back Means Looking Ahead