Category Archives: Other News

Texas A&M AgriLife – Formosan Termites

AgriLifeLogo March 2015 Newsletter

Formosan Termites

There are three main types of termites that can cause problems for homeowners in Central Texas- native subterranean termites, formosan subterranean termites and drywood termites. This article will focus of formosan termites.

Formosan termites are a more voracious type of subterranean termite. These termites have been spread throughout Texas through transport of infested material or soil. Formosan termites build carton nests that allow them to survive above ground without contact with the soil. Nests are often located in hollow spaces, such as wall voids.

Formosan-termites

Formosan subterranean termite workers and soldiers.

Formosan termites feed on a wider variety of cellulose than other subterranean termites, including live plants, consuming both spring and summer growth wood whereas native subterranean termites feed only on spring growth.   Formosan termites have also been known to chew through non-cellulose materials such as soft metals, plaster or plastic.

The type of termite is determined by using soldiers (the group that defends the colony) or alates (winged reproductives) for identification. Formosan termite soldiers have a hardened head capsule that is tear-drop shaped. The alates have two heavy veins on the leading edge of the front wing along with hairs on the wings. If you suspect termites, you can submit sample insects to me for identification. Treatment would need to be carried out by a profession pest management company.

For more information or help with identification, contact Wizzie Brown, Texas AgriLife Extension Service Program Specialist at 512.854.9600. Check out my blog at www.urban-ipm.blogspot.com

The information given herein is for educational purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names is made with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by Texas AgriLife Extension Service or the Texas AgriLife Research is implied.
 Extension programs serve people of all ages regardless of socioeconomic level, race, color, sex, religion, disability, or national origin.

Texas A&M AgriLife – Backyard Beneficials

AgriLifeLogo February 2015 Newsletter

 Backyard Beneficials

 Beneficials in the Landscape

First off, let me mention that a pest is all a matter of perspective. There are insects that are commonly thought of as pests that can also be considered beneficial when viewed through the proper lens. An easy example would be termites. People are very unhappy when they find termites eating the cellulose material in their home, but in a natural setting, termites help break down cellulose material when trees fall in the forest. Of course, this works both ways. A flipped example is ladybird beetles. They are often called beneficial insects because they help to consume aphids and other small, soft-bodied insects that attack desired plants. I have seen ladybird beetles by the thousands enter my parents’ home to overwinter. These beetles are not the kind little helpers that ladybugs are made out to be- they dive bomb you, bite you and can stain fabrics with a fluid they exude. So keeping that in mind, let us proceed with a few “beneficials” you may find in the landscape.

Ladybird beetles a.k.a ladybugs

Ladybird beetle adults come in a variety of sizes and colors. Many of them are some shade of red and often have spots. Eggs are often laid in clusters near a food source, often aphids. The eggs are a yellowish-orange color and look like footballs sitting up on their end. Most larvae are elongated and a blackish-grey color with orange markings. Ladybird beetles pupate on the plant and pupae are non-moving. The adults and larvae are the stages that help to control soft-bodied pests such as aphids, whiteflies, mealybugs and scale insects.

ladybugs

Praying Mantises

Praying mantises are general predators in the nymphal and adult stages. They are also cannibalistic. Adults are fairly large insects with an elongated prothorax and front legs modified for capturing prey. Nymphs look similar to adults but are smaller and do not have fully developed wings. Adult females lay egg cases on small twigs and branches. At first the egg case looks like a frothy mass, but it soon hardens into an elongated, ridged case.

Spiders

Spiders are not insects, but arachnids. They have two body regions and eight legs which differentiates them from insects. Spiders are a large group with many shapes, colors and sizes. They are general predators as immatures and adults. For more information on specific spiders, see spider ID article from the May 2011 issue of the Compost Bin here:

http://www.tcmastergardeners.org/newsletter/2011/News2011.05.pdf

There are many more beneficial creatures that help keep pest populations in check. Before you decide to utilize a pesticide to manage a pest, take a closer look to see if nature is already controlling pests for you.

For more information or help with identification, contact Wizzie Brown, Texas AgriLife Extension Service Program Specialist at 512.854.9600. Check out my blog at www.urban-ipm.blogspot.com

The information given herein is for educational purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names is made with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by Texas AgriLife Extension Service or the Texas AgriLife Research is implied.
 Extension programs serve people of all ages regardless of socioeconomic level, race, color, sex, religion, disability, or national origin.

Texas A&M AgriLife – Indianmeal moths

AgriLifeLogo January 2015 Newsletter

Indianmeal moths

To eliminate a pantry pest problem, the first step is to locate and remove all infested items. Removing infested items is the easy part; finding the infestation is not always so simple. Begin with the oldest food items, usually in the back of the pantry. Inspect everything, including unopened food items since these can also be a source. If you find an infested item, do not stop your inspection, more than one item may be infested.

Indianmeal-moths

Throw away infested items. If you don’t feel that you can throw away food, place the infested food in a ziptop plastic bag and place it in the freezer for about 5-7 days or spread the infested food item on a baking sheet and bake at 250 degrees for 4-6 hours to kill any insects. Once all the insects are dead, you can sift the food item or pick out the insects. Of course, you can always just leave the insects in the food and get a little more protein with your meal!

It is extremely important to find the source, and not all pantry pest infestations come from the pantry. Check rooms for items such as dried, decorative peppers, dried flowers, potpourri or rice heating packs.

For more information or help with identification, contact Wizzie Brown, Texas AgriLife Extension Service Program Specialist at 512.854.9600. Check out my blog at www.urban-ipm.blogspot.com

The information given herein is for educational purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names is made with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by Texas AgriLife Extension Service or the Texas AgriLife Research is implied.

 Extension programs serve people of all ages regardless of socioeconomic level, race, color, sex, religion, disability, or national origin.

Texas A&M AgriLife – Silverfish

AgriLifeLogo December 2014 Newsletter#2

Silverfish

I recently noticed silverfish lurking in my house while handling holiday decorations, so I’m sure others may have the same problem. Silverfish can eat and stain books, fabrics, food and wallpaper, but are often considered being more of a nuisance than a pest. These insects have flattened carrot-shaped bodies with three long “tails” that come off the tip of the abdomen. The body is covered with fine scales that give them a silver sheen. Immatures look just like the adults, but are smaller in size.

Usually silverfish are not seen by homeowners because they are most active at night. They can commonly be found in attics, closets or near bookcases. They may also be found behind baseboards or around door and window casings. Silverfish feed on starchy foods like paper, flour, oats or glue.

Silverfish

Tips for managing silverfish:

  • Remove old books, papers & magazines
  • Store items in sealed, plastic bags or plastic containers with tight-fitting lids
  • Clean closets on a regular basis- vacuum/ sweep floors and wipe down any shelves
  • Reduce humidity with fans, air conditioning or dehumidifiers
  • Repair any water leaks
  • Inspect all items before bringing them into the house
  • Target treatments to where silverfish live- wall voids, closets, attics, behind baseboards, etc.

For more information or help with identification, contact Wizzie Brown, Texas AgriLife Extension Service Program Specialist at 512.854.9600. Check out my blog at www.urban-ipm.blogspot.com

The information given herein is for educational purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names is made with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by Texas AgriLife Extension Service or the Texas AgriLife Research is implied.
 Extension programs serve people of all ages regardless of socioeconomic level, race, color, sex, religion, disability, or national origin.

Texas A&M AgriLife – Fruit flies

AgriLifeLogo December 2014 Newsletter

Fruit flies

Fruit flies can become a problem at any time of year because they are attracted to ripe or fermenting fruit. Fruit flies can be brought into the home from ripe fruits or vegetables picked from the garden or items purchased at the grocery store.

Adults are small (about 1/8 of an inch) and usually have red eyes. The front portion of the body is tan while the back portion is dark brown or black. If given the opportunity, females can lay up to 500 eggs. Larvae feed near the surface of fermenting foods or other organic matter.

Fruit-flies

Prevention is the best way to deal with fruit flies. Do not purchase over ripened fruit or vegetables. Fruit and vegetables should be eaten in a timely manner or stored in the refrigerator. If storage in the refrigerator is not an option because you are ripening the item, place it in a paper bag and use a clothespin or chip clip to close the bag. All recyclables should be rinsed thoroughly before placing them into the recycling bin. The recycling bin and garbage can should be cleaned out on a regular basis to eliminate any spilled material.

To eliminate a fruit fly infestation, all sources must be located and eliminated. Insecticides will not help if sources are not eliminated. While searching and eliminating breeding sources, a trap can be constructed to capture adult flies. Create a paper funnel by rolling notebook paper and place the funnel into a jar that contains a small amount of apple cider vinegar in the bottom.

For more information or help with identification, contact Wizzie Brown, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Program Specialist at 512.854.9600.

The information given herein is for educational purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names is made with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service or the Texas A&M AgriLife Research is implied.
 Extension programs serve people of all ages regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information or veteran status.

Texas A&M AgriLife – German cockroaches

 

AgriLifeLogo Nov 2014 Newsletter

German cockroaches

German cockroaches are most commonly found within homes and commercial food establishments, usually in the kitchen. The adults are about ½ inch long, tan and have two dark stripes above the head. The females will carry the egg case protruding from the abdomen until the day before hatching. The nymphs, or baby cockroaches, look similar to the adults, but are smaller and without fully developed wings.

German cockroaches may enter buildings through infested boxes, grocery bags, furniture and dried pet food. They may also enter around loose-fitting doors and windows as wells as through sewer lines, attics, and where pipes penetrate the structure. Cockroaches are associated with filth, but even well-maintained structures can become infested.

Cockroach

German cockroaches are active at night, and are usually only visible during the day if they are disturbed or there is a severe infestation. They like to rest in tight, dark spaces such as under or inside cupboards, behind loose baseboards or in bathrooms. They are omnivores, feeding plant and animal products such as meats, starchy foods, baked goods, leather, book bindings and wallpaper paste.

Inspection is important to any cockroach control program. Identify the type of cockroach and their location. Eliminate indoor hiding places such as paper or cardboard. Sticky traps can help to reduce cockroach populations without the use of chemical. Place traps against walls near cockroach feeding and hiding areas.

Some type of chemical control will be needed to eliminate cockroach infestations. Baits are a combination of toxicants and food attractant. Baits should be placed in areas where cockroaches are known to feed. Residual sprays are available in ready-to-use containers or concentrates that are mixed with water. Sprays are fast and easy to apply. Dust treatments should be used in cracks and crevices, wall voids, under refrigerators or around pipes. Dusts should be applied in a light, even coat that is barely visible. Do not apply dust or residual sprays to areas that have bait.

For more information or help with identification, contact Wizzie Brown, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Program Specialist at 512.854.9600.

The information given herein is for educational purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names is made with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service or the Texas A&M AgriLife Research is implied.
 Extension programs serve people of all ages regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information or veteran status.