Fire Ant Informational Webinar

Solve Your Fire Ant Problems with Help From the Experts

Please join us at: http://connect.extension.iastate.edu/fireant Thursday, April 21st from 11:00-12:00 AM Eastern time (10:00-11:00 Central time, 8:00-9:00 Pacific time)

For those unfamiliar with eXtension (pronounced “e-extension), this is the national initiative involving Extension professionals across the nation in outreach educational efforts on a variety of topics. The Imported Fire Ant”Community of Practice” or CoP (see http://www.eXtension.org/fire+ants) involves fire ant research and extension educators from all fire ant infested states. Through the power of the internet and social networking efforts, this group provides practical solutions to imported fire ant problems representing the consensus of “best management practices”. The upcoming webinar will be brought to you by The Imported Fire Ant eXtension Community of Practice. This webinar will present the information that you need to know to control fire ants. It is actually easy to kill the fire ants that are bothering you, once you understand how they live. You will learn how to apply the integrated pest management tactics that are as economical and environmentally friendly as possible. This interactive experience can provide an opportunity to communicate directly with fire ant specialists and seek answers to specific problems you may be encountering. Please join us for this discussion!

Moderator: Dr. Kathy Flanders, Associate Professor, Auburn University.

Topics:

· How Can You Tell if You Have Fire Ants? Dr. Jason Oliver, Research Associate Professor - Entomology · Tennessee State University

· Understanding the Biology and Behavior of Fire Ants Makes it Easier to Control Fire Ants, Dr. Timothy Davis, Clemson University

· Managing Imported Fire Ants, Dr. Bastiaan Drees, Professor, Texas A&M University

· Biological Control of Fire Ants, Dr. Lawrence Graham, Auburn University

How to Participate: Please log in as a guest at: http://connect.extension.iastate.edu/fireant

For more information about fire ants, please go to: www.extension.org/fire+ants

Get Your Bug Nerd On-- Entoblitz!

Entoblitz was hatched from an idea by Will Godwin, a teaching assistant I had while in graduate school at Texas A&M. It's a way to bring together insect enthusiasts of all kinds to experience camaraderie in a field experience. Participation is open to anyone with an interest of collecting and/ or observing insects in the field.

2011 Entoblitz

April 22-25, 2011
Elephant Mountain Wildlife Management Area

If you are interested in participating, contact at palenhart@neo.tamu.edu so that you can be added to a mailing list for further information.

Termite Management for Homeowners

Sun Tzu said "If you know the enemy and know yourself you need not fear the results of a hundred battles."

Most people don't think about termites until they have to, and generally that is when they find termites eating their home. While that is also the approach that I take, it's always good to have information before a problem becomes a problem so that you know your options...know thy enemy, right?

I am holding a class on termites next week and again in March. The class, I hope, will arm homeowners with information so they feel comfortable discussing management options for termites with pest professionals. Do you know how termites look for food? Can you tell the difference between ants and termites? Come to learn how to identify the types of termites found in Central Texas and their management options.

February class details
When: Thursday, February 17, 2011 9:30- 10:30 a.m.
Where: Travis County Extension Office 1600-B Smith Road Austin, TX 78721

March class details
When: Wednesday, March 30, 2011 1:00- 2:00 p.m.
Where: Travis County Extension Office 1600-B Smith Road Austin, TX 78721