Welcoming our new Communication Specialist, Carrie Carmenatty!

NYSIPM Director, Alejandro Calixto is pleased to announce the appointment of Carrie Carmenatty as the new Communication Specialist with the New York State Integrated Pest Management Program. Carrie is a Finger Lakes native with more than 20 years of communication and marketing experience. She will bring passion for brand awareness, community engagement, content management, and…Continue Reading Welcoming our new Communication Specialist, Carrie Carmenatty!

“Weeds in Organic Squash Production” Part Two: But What About Insects?

Insects! Plant it and they will come. Or not. In a research farm setting, unlike a commercial farm, we actually WANT pests to show up so we can conduct a trial. But sometimes we plant it and they don’t come… In fact, there’s a joke that if you want a pest to disappear for a…Continue Reading “Weeds in Organic Squash Production” Part Two: But What About Insects?

“Weeds in Organic Winter Squash Production” A Look at 2021’s Field Research: Part One

Our next series of posts looks at a 2021 field trial by NYSIPM’s Bryan Brown, Marcus Lopez, and Abby Seaman. For full details, read their complete posts throughout the season.: What’s the best way to manage weeds in organic winter squash? Many farmers use black plastic mulch. Others cultivate. And small-scale farms may spread straw…Continue Reading “Weeds in Organic Winter Squash Production” A Look at 2021’s Field Research: Part One

Starting September 16- the NYSIPM Academic Seminar Series – Fall 2021

Seminars are once-a-month on Thursdays Presentation: 11:30-12:10 Q&A: 12:10-12:20 Virtual Meet and Greet for those with special interest in the topic: 12:20- 12:30 Register Here. Next up on September 16: Dan Olmstead, New York State IPM Program at Cornell University Fostering the evolution of Digital IPM to meet changing needs of applied research and extension efforts The…Continue Reading Starting September 16- the NYSIPM Academic Seminar Series – Fall 2021

Should I Worry About Spotted Lanternflies?

Worry? That depends. First, spotted lanternflies do not bite or sting. They feed exclusively on plants outdoors and can only survive for about 48 hours without feeding on a plant.  In natural and residential areas, they feed on Tree of heaven (Ailanthus), black walnut, maples (they will preferentially feed on silver maple, then red maple), willow,…Continue Reading Should I Worry About Spotted Lanternflies?

What Do Spotted Lanternfly Look Like?

SPOTTED LANTERNFLIES are named after flies, look like moths, but are actually planthoppers. They have piercing-sucking mouthparts which allow them to drill into the phloem of a plant to feed directly on the sugary sap—which comes out their other end as sticky, sweet honeydew. This planthopper is thought to have arrived as egg masses on…Continue Reading What Do Spotted Lanternfly Look Like?

Gardener Assistance Needed with Monitoring Downy Mildews Affecting Cucurbit Plants and Basil

Thank you to Margaret Tuttle McGrath with the Long Island Horticultural Research & Extension Center for providing the following content and opportunity! Occurrence of two important diseases is being monitored to be able to inform farmers, so they know when preventive fungicide applications are warranted, and to increase knowledge about these diseases. Occurrence of these…Continue Reading Gardener Assistance Needed with Monitoring Downy Mildews Affecting Cucurbit Plants and Basil

Box Tree Moth -a MAJOR pest threat to Boxwood

Box Tree Moth a serious threat to plant health Box Tree Moth (BTM) first appeared in New York State in 2021, likely carried on a storm from an infestation just across the border in Ontario, Canada. Infestations have been identified in Niagara and Orleans county in 2023; the impacted range may expand through natural movement. The…Continue Reading Box Tree Moth -a MAJOR pest threat to Boxwood

Tick Bite Prevention – Dressing the Part – Rubber Boot Myth

adult blacklegged tick female clinging to a short plant with its two front legs outstretched

When you see someone putting on his Big Boots, you can be pretty sure that an Adventure is going to happen. – A. A. Milne Last week I wrote a blog post on Tick Bite Prevention – Dressing the Part discussing why we make the recommendations we do. Today I want to address one commonly…Continue Reading Tick Bite Prevention – Dressing the Part – Rubber Boot Myth