Tag: pests

Mosquitoes, Open Containers, and Rain … Oh My!

UF/IFAS Mosquito Experts I recently had the opportunity to collaborate with colleagues at the UF/IFAS Florida Medical Entomology Lab (FMEL) in Vero Beach, FL.  FMEL Assistant Professors Dr. Eva Buckner, Dr. Yoosook Lee, and Dr. Lawrence Reeves are impressive experts in the field of medical entomology which is the scientific study of mosquitoes and mosquito-borne diseases.  They…

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Pink Sundew – Wild Weeds

Wild Weeds – Weed of the Month Pink Sundew Drosera capillaris Pink Sundew is an insectivorous wildflower, catching insects for its nutrient source. You’ll find this interesting plant in wet areas, primarily pinelands, savannas, and bogs but also along pond edges or other high moisture areas. The plant blooms in the spring and has…

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Mites are not a disease

Felt-like damage on a Mexican PetuniaWhen does a blight on a plant look like a disease, but is not?  A Mexican petunia with a disease-like condition that is actually caused by microscopic mites is the answer!  Many gardeners who have Mexican petunias experience this plague from time to time.  It looks just like a fungus…

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Hurricane Season Has Begun: Time to Prepare

Hurricanes June 1st is the first day of the 2023 hurricane season in the Eastern part of the United States. This season will continue all the way to November 30, 2023. Last year brought us two hurricanes (Ian and Nicole), which crossed the state with Orange County, FL being very close to the crossing point. Catastrophic flooding…

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June First Friday with Florida First Detector

Recap of June First Friday with Florida First Detector Oak trees are important to our environment with various species growing throughout the world and 24 species native to Florida (90 in the U.S.). With the wide distribution of oaks, especially in the Eastern U.S., it is important that we protect these trees from invasive pests…

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Pumpout Nav mobile app for boaters expands to Florida

Florida Sea Grant, the University of Florida and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection are excited to announce that Pumpout Nav is available to Florida boaters. Boaters now have access to an interactive tool to locate more than 250 publicly available pumpouts, portable toilet dump stations, and mobile pumpout vessels throughout the state. Pumpout Nav,…

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Horticulture Happy Hour: Blueberry Varieties

One key to success with growing blueberries is choosing the right blueberry varieties for your home garden. For Florida, choose varieties of southern highbush or rabbiteye types. Southern Highbush These are usually a bit harder to grow than rabbiteye in our area and they fruit earlier, putting them at risk for frost and freeze damage.…

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Horticulture Happy Hour: Blueberry Beverages

Blueberries have a limited history mixology but there are several blueberry beverages out there. One common method of using blueberries in drinks is through muddling fresh blueberries in the bottom of the cocktail while mixing to add in the flavor and juice. These drinks should be strained after to remove the heavy pulp and seeds.…

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Ornery Plants for Your Garden

Just recently, I received a great plant from a volunteer – a sharp and pointy agave, large but in its infancy.  Despite its young age, it is still an ornery plant for the garden.  This agave when planted in the landscape will grow to become a large and lovely plant with green and light green…

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