(Distributed 09/05/08) Most of the mosquitoes being bred in the standing water left in Louisiana from Hurricane Gustav are not the kind that carry West Nile virus, according to LSU AgCenter entomologist and mosquito expert Wayne Kramer.

(Distributed 09/05/08) Rice is among the many Louisiana agricultural commodities hurt by Hurricane Gustav, although the majority of the crop had been harvested in the southwest Louisiana rice belt before the storm came through.

(Distributed 09/04/08) The LSU AgCenter has made available a 32-page Storm Recovery Guide for Homeowners to help Louisianians in the cleanup after Hurricane Gustav. This guide is free at any LSU AgCenter parish extension office or research station. If you cannot get to your local office or if the office is temporarily closed, you may order the publication over the Internet.

(Distributed 09/04/08) Hurricane Gustav put a lot of limbs and whole trees on the ground in various areas of the state, and many people already are working on cleanup efforts. An LSU AgCenter forest safety specialist says safety should be a major consideration during those efforts – particularly when it comes to use of a chainsaw.

(Distributed 08/29/08) Sustainability and “green” are commonly used words in mainstream media. We think of gardening and yard care as green activities, but many of our practices are not green at all, such as overusing pesticides and fertilizers.

(Distributed 08/29/08) With Gustav bearing down on the Louisiana coast, homes that have been stripped for repair since hurricanes Katrina and Rita – and those that are now elevated on columns – may be subject to high winds for the first time.

(Distributed 08/29/08) Homeowners face many issues after a hurricane. If the home has escaped major structural damage, one of the first problems encountered may be the loss of electrical power.

(Distributed 08/29/08) Adults are urged to assemble a “grab-and-go” box of important papers in case of a hurricane evacuation. How about making a “to-go kit” for your child? Assembling a few treasured items can help your child in times of disaster, according to LSU AgCenter family development professor Dr. Rebecca White.

(For Release On Or After 09/26/08) Birds can contribute wonderful things to the enjoyment of a landscape, such as movement, color, sounds and even pest control. The presence of birds is almost universally welcome among gardeners. Gardeners can even go so far as to design and plant landscapes that are particularly attractive to birds.

(For Release On Or After 09/19/08) When it comes to home landscaping, many gardeners remain confused about how to create what they want. The important thing to remember is that developing an attractive, properly functioning landscape is best done using a process.