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Category Archives: Pests
Climate Change, Weather Extremes, and Oak Decline
What’s Happening to the Oak Trees?
Urban and suburban trees also deal with urban heat islands, competition with turfgrass, pollution, and construction. Combined with the mature age of many of our oaks and the extreme weather conditions, we are seeing the decline of our tree canopy. Continue reading
Posted in Climate Change, Pests
Tagged ambrosia beetle, decline, oak tree death, oak tree decline, white oaks
Protecting Yourself From Ticks . . . Without Harming Pollinators
Protect yourself from ticks without destroying beneficial insects. Spraying pesticides to control ticks is ineffective because ticks reside primarily within leaf litter where the sprays cannot reach them, or they are brought in by animal hosts. The pesticides, however, are nonselective and will kill pollinators and other beneficial insects they come in contact with. There are much more effective ways to protect yourself, your family, and your pets and still enjoy the outdoors. Continue reading
Posted in Pests, Public Education
Tagged deer tick, Deet, dog tick, lone star tick, ticks
Mosquito Control Begins with a Home Walk-Around
by Kirsten Conrad, Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Agent, VCE We are already seeing calls for spraying to control mosquitoes on neighborhood social media sites. Before you think of spraying, check out these better options for controlling mosquitoes that will … Continue reading
Posted in Pests, Public Education
Tagged mosquito control
Mosquito Control Begins With a Home Walk-Around
Mosquitoes require as little as a tablespoon of water to lay eggs in. They can successfully breed in any area or container that has still, shallow standing water for more than three days. The number-one source of mosquito bites in our area is the Asian Tiger mosquito, which is a container breeder. Continue reading
