Winter Garden Activities for IPM

As the season of outdoors comes closer, it's important to review some basics of pesticide safety. Whether they are organic or synthetic, all pesticides can be dangerous. So wear your PPE and keep them out of reach of children! 

Being out in cold temperatures is often necessary. But, there are a few things you can do to improve your comfort and safety. We cover how to layer your clothes, travel safely, and how to help livestock stay warm and healthy in low temperatures. 

Learn about the differences in sidewalk salt and their effects on the ice, environment, and the sidewalk itself. We also remind our poultry owners about biosecurity tacticts to protect their birds from avian influenza

What to do in the garden or on the farm during winter to reduce disease and make life easier next year.

Explore the history and dangers of feral swine, their diseases, hunting regulations, and safe cooking tips to protect yourself and our food system.

Using soap to kill insects isn't as simple as it seems. Today we go through the ins and outs of what makes soap an appropriate insecticide and what to avoid.  References: Fundamentals of Using Soaps as Insecticides by Dr. Raymond Cloyd https://blogs.k-state.edu/kansasbugs/2020/06/12/fundamentals-of-using-soaps-as-insecticides/  Insecticidal Soap Written byPaul Pugliese. Growing & Mowing in Bartow County March 4, 2024 https://site.extension.uga.edu/bartow/insecticidal-soap/  The Use of Horticultural Oils and Insecticidal Soaps For Control of Insect Pests of Amenity Plants Fredric D. Miller  Arboriculture & Urban Forestry (AUF) November 1989, 15 (11) 257-262; DOI: https://doi.org/10.48044/jauf.1989.055  https://auf.isa-arbor.com/content/15/11/257  Horticultural oils and soaps play important roles in reducing pest pressure and lowering risks for a biological control program. https://www.nurserymag.com/article/compatible--tools/  Insecticidal Soaps for Garden Pest Control Factsheet | HGIC 2771 | Updated: Jul 30, 2021 https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/insecticidal-soaps-for-garden-pest-control/  Soap Sprays as Insecticides Published on: June 17, 2015   By Scott Oneto, Farm Advisor, University of California Cooperative Extension UC Master Gardener Program Statewide Blog News and updates from the statewide UC Master Gardener Program office. https://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=18009  Insect Control: Soaps and Detergents – 5.547  by W.S. Cranshaw 1 1Colorado State University Extension entomologist and professor, bioagricultural sciences and pest management. 12/96. Reviewed 3/08. https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/insects/insect-control-soaps-and-detergents-5-547/  Coming clean on soap in the garden September 22, 2023 Author: Marissa Schuh, Extension educator, integrated pest management  Reviewed by Julie Weisenhorn Extension educator, horticulture https://extension.umn.edu/yard-and-garden-news/coming-clean-soap-garden#sources-2944060 

Join us as we explore the impact of the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid on our forests, uncovering its origins, spread, and the ecological consequences of its control. Learn about hope for management and what you can do to protect your prize hemlock tree from this invasive pest.

Belive it or not, zombies really do exist. There are many examples in nature and cordiceps do play a role. However, for the most part, zombieism is restricted to insects. 

We have a special guest this week as part of the WVU Extension Drought Series coordinated by Alex Straight. Dr. Lowell Midla, is a Doctor of Vetrinary Medicine and is joining us from Merk Animal Health. Learn the different stressors that impact animal health and what you can do about them. He also covers good herd management techniques for when feed stocks are low. 

Nothing against pumpkin spice, but when we think fall we're all on board for apples. We have such a wide variety of apples we encourage you to reach out to a local orchard and try something new. Some varieties of apples will continue to ripen into November!