Written By: Emily Cabrera, IPM Communications Coordinator Expert Source: Eric Prostko, Extension Weed Specialist University of Georgia Extension weed specialist Eric Prostko spoke to growers about current pesticide applicator regulations and weed control strategies for the 2020 season at this year’s Northeast Georgia Soybean Production Meeting in Bowman. Prostko emphasized…
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Written By: Emily Cabrera, IPM Communications Coordinator Expert Source: Phillip Roberts, Extension Entomologist In 2019, soybeans were planted on 100,000 acres in Georiga. At this month’s Northeast Georgia Soybean Production Meeting in Bowman, University of Georgia Extension specialists provided updates for growers going into the 2020 season. Extension entomologist Phillip…
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Home gardens and urban landscapes have the potential to provide a vast array of habitat for valuable beneficial insects and pollinators, but that doesn’t mean you have to allow pests, weeds and diseases to go unchecked. “Find that balance. You should certainly manage those pests that return year after year,…
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Written By: Emily Cabrera Expert Sources: Angel Acebes-Doria, Brett Blaauw, Shimat Joseph, and Will Hudson, Extension entomologists Early Monitoring If you are a pecan grower, monitoring efforts for ambrosia beetle should begin now, especially if you are planting new trees or have trees less than three years in your orchard….
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San Jose Scale are predicted to be particularly bad this year for peach growers, as this pest is active in temperatures over 51oF, “so we’ve already had a lot of days for this pest population to grow” said Dr. Brett Blaauw, UGA Peach Entomologist. “This pest is so pervasive in the southeast that we really don’t recommend scouting, because it’s time and labor intensive and not always accurate. We know this pest exists in every orchard and we know it will need to be managed.”
Spotted Wing Drosophila (SWD) is the most economically significant insect pest in berry production in the southeast. They survive all year round, in every landscape, and the presence of just one egg, larva, pupa, or fly can render an entire harvest unmarketable. Scout early and manage this pest for a productive year.
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Georgia weather is predictably unpredictable, bitter cold one week and balmy the next. And for that reason, growers are being urged to pay close attention to the weather over the coming months, and be prepared to utilize irrigation for frost protection and potential dry conditions as we move into spring. We are currently in an ENSO neutral year, and weather patterns in those years are more variable and can often create issues with…
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Earlier this year we conducted a mid-summer lettuce trial using high tunnels covered with 30% shade cloth. Our results were encouraging. While some varieties were strong flavored and were bitter with a narrow harvest window (2-3 days), several varieties performed well enough under the shade-covered tunnels that they would have been commercially marketable for those growers willing to trial this production system.
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Although blueberry gall midge has historically been referred to as a rabbiteye problem, recently it has been reported to be a concern in some southern highbush fields. The majority of the highbush infestations were primarily reported in older blocks and those surrounded by rabbiteye blueberries. The southern highbush varieties that infestations have been reported include Emerald, Farthing, Meadowlark, and Star. If you haven’t already done so, start monitoring and if you observe gall midge larvae or adults in your orchard, implement management strategies immediately.
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Squirrels, chipmunks, rats, mice, and various overwintering insect pests are among the most common critters that get inside through cracks and gaps in the foundation of homes during winter months – looking for warmth and food. It’s important to prevent these critters from entering homes and buildings, as they can carry various parasites and can be a major nuisance, given the overwhelming numbers associated with some of them Not to mention, they can spoil stored food and can tear up insulation and electrical!
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