All articles tagged with #pest management
Experts recommend eliminating standing water, using fans, planting native species, repairing screens, and using appropriate bug sprays to control mosquitoes. Avoid peak mosquito hours and consider professional pest control if necessary. Citronella candles and bug zappers are not highly effective.
UC Riverside scientists have developed a nontoxic and cost-effective termite control method using pinene, a chemical from forest trees, to attract termites to insecticide-injected wood. This approach significantly increases termite mortality rates and offers a greener alternative to traditional fumigation, which is expensive and environmentally harmful.
Researchers in Australia have discovered insecticide resistance in bluegreen aphids, a significant pest of legume crops worldwide. The study warns of a global threat to crops and emphasizes the need for new strategies to manage this pervasive pest. The researchers found moderate resistance to multiple insecticide groups in field-collected aphid populations, highlighting the challenges faced by growers. They recommend integrated pest management strategies, including the exploration of non-chemical control options and the potential use of novel endosymbiont-based interventions to mitigate the damage caused by these insecticide-resistant pests.
Despite the struggles and failures of some indoor farming companies, the industry continues to grow as more players invest in green factories that aim to produce fresh produce year-round while using less water and land. Indoor farming methods include vertical farming, industrial-scale greenhouses, and soil beds in warehouses, with some companies utilizing robots for automation. Advocates argue that indoor farming saves water, land, and transportation costs, while protecting crops from extreme weather caused by climate change. However, skeptics question the sustainability and profitability of energy-intensive operations reliant on artificial light. Pest management is also a challenge in indoor farming, as pests can thrive without natural predators. Some experts suggest investing in practical solutions for outdoor farming instead.
Late-season defoliators, such as the orangestriped oakworm, may cause localized, heavy defoliation in trees during late summer and early fall. However, their impact on tree health is generally minor, and natural enemies help regulate their populations. Mechanical control, such as picking off larvae or removing eggs, is often sufficient. In severe cases, insecticides can be used, but timing and targeting are crucial to minimize impacts on non-target species. Overall, the damage caused by late-season defoliators is usually not a significant threat to tree health.
A batch of mosquitoes captured by pest management in Nashville has tested positive for West Nile virus. The Metro Public Health Department is taking additional steps to educate residents in the impacted areas and monitor for the disease. Health officials recommend residents in all parts of Davidson County take steps to reduce mosquito breeding areas and protect against biting mosquitoes.
A new study has found that Wolbachia, a type of bacteria commonly found in insects, is present in four out of 16 cockroach species across three families. Researchers hope that further study may lead to new management methods for pest cockroach species, potentially using Wolbachia as a tool for urban insect management instead of relying on conventional insecticides. Wolbachia can manipulate the reproductive biology of its insect host, and the type of manipulation depends on the strain found in an insect.