As a part of a state-supported aerial mosquito spraying program coordinated by the Louisiana Department of Heath and Hospitals, mosquito landing rate counts are required before and after aerial spraying is conducted.

This interactive and fun quiz will challenge your knowledge of Red Imported Fire Ants.

There are many ways to manage red imported fire ants in urban areas. Here we present two options: Evenly distribute baits or granular contact insecticides throughout your yard.

This article explains the correct method for applying fire ant bait in the community for maximum control.

Information card on tackling termite problems when beginning a renovation project

Cleaning up wood debris after a hurricane or other severe windstorm can spread one of Louisiana’s most destructive pests – the Formosan subterranean termite.

Information card on places to look for Formosan subterranean termite Infestations

Information card on where to look for termites in trees

There are about 2,500 species of termites worldwide. Although only about 2% are frequent invaders of wood structures used by humans, termites must be managed because they can and will cause great damage. This publication includes information on how to manage them. Only available in pdf format.

Beekeepers who will remove honeybees from walls, structures and trees or collect swarms. Some will remove other bees and wasps.

If a honey bee swarm or colony is located in area well traveled by the public, it would be in the best interest of the city or agency to have the bees removed as soon as possible. This document provides information local officials can use to plan and prepare.

Two distance education teleconferences were conducted by the North Central Region Integrated Pest Management Center in June 2005. The presentations covered biological questions and control options.

Volume 73 is a special edition dealing with mosquito spraying and support for beekeepers who lost hives to the hurricanes.

This poster addresses habitat preferences and where Argentine ants can be found.

(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.

bugs of the month

Termites can’t hold their breath forever, although they have a capacity to live under water for a significant amount of time, according to a world-renowned termite expert. That means termites in areas flooded by the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina may not be as prevalent as they have been for a while – offering a small grain of good news among the massive destruction.

The process of removing honeybees from walls in a house is complex. Most people think they only have to spray and kill the bees. This would be effective if they were yellow jackets or hornets or even bumblebees. Honeybees, however,require a more demanding process.

The living drill, as the carpenter bee has been appropriately named by many homeowners, has the ability to bore into and structurally damage timbers and other painted or unpainted wooden materials. These holes are actually the nesting sites the bees use to raise their young.

The insect list is short this month, but one item in particular includes an in-depth discussion. The African honeybees and their recent discovery in two more parishes have some of the public concerned. Before there is a panic, some information needs to be presented.

Links to additional Web sites that provide information on mosquitoes and West Nile Virus.

It has been an on again-off again honeybee season, and the weather has not really cooperated for the bees -- first, too dry and too hot; now too wet in some areas for the bees to work efficiently.

We are seeing a decline in some insect populations but some explosions in others. Here are some potential problems this month.

The pink hibiscus mealybug is an invasive species that will infest agricultural crops, vegetables, fruits and ornamentals. Populations can be hard to detect initially but can build up quickly and spread by wind, birds, animals and humans.

Formosan and subterranean termite biology, ecology and behavior are compared and contrasted.

There are two majors types of termites in Louisiana: Subterranean and drywood. The subterranean termites are divided into two subgroups: The native subterranean termites and the Formosan subterranean termite. Determining the type of termite is important for management.

Learn how to inspect and treat your home for Formosan termites as well as common problem areas to look for.

Formosan subterranean termites are more aggressive and cause more damage than native subterranean termite species because of special biological attributes.

Detecting termites in trees can be helped by a few tips on where to look.

West Nile virus is a mosquito-borne disease that can cause encephalitis, or a brain infection. Mosquitoes acquire the virus from birds and pass it on to other birds, animals and people.

A poster containing information on how to protect yourself from mosquitoes.

The LSU AgCenter is providing mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) to the New Orleans area in an effort to suppress mosquito populations in the many abandoned swimming pools in the city.

Identifying to species, recognizing problems and having a sound knowledge of control techniques can help in solving a termite problem.

Argentine ants have been reported in a few isolated areas in Louisiana. These ants are different from fire ants in appearance, nesting habits and behavior. These differences make control efforts different as well.

This is the first issue of a newsletter intended to communicate new information and recommendations for fire ant management and other ant problems in Louisiana. This issue focuses on current methods for community-wide fire ant control.

We are seeing a decline in some insect populations but some explosions in others. Here are some potential problems this month.

Linepithema humile (Mayr), the Argentine ant, is an important invasive species that has great impact on agriculture, urban and natural environments worldwide. This poster discusses the basic nest biology and structure of the Argentine Ants.

A document containing the Standard Conditions, Scientific Collecting (wild birds): 50 CFR 21.23 Conditions.

A document containing the Louisiana Pesticide Rules and Regulations.

Document containing the Louisiana Pesticide Law.

Caterpillars and adults on shade trees and chinch bugs and parasitized armyworm.

A grassy plant used worldwide for erosion control and a new pop-up termite indicator may provide new, environmentally safe weapons in the arsenal to combat subterranean termites.

It’s the time of the year when Formosan subterranean termites swarm and spread their colonies. Humans help termites travel great distances when they move infested railroad ties, utility poles, lumber, landscaping timbers, potted plants, shipping crates, pallets, mobile homes, paper and other cellulose products.

The expansion is part of a federally funded test program dubbed Operation Full Stop, which is looking for ways to control the destructive creatures.

(Distributed 04/29/04) LSU AgCenter entomologists confirmed that termites found the week of April 18 at a home in Pineville were Formosan subterranean termites. This is the first sighting of the pests in the Alexandria area. These termites pose a greater threat than the native species because they form larger colonies, are more aggressive and form carton nests above ground.

This map shows where Africanized honeybees have been trapped by the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry.

As soggy as it has been one would hope that most of the insects had drowned, but alas, no such luck. Some have said they have become more relaxed and excited in the somewhat cooler environment and many have moved indoors to escape the constant drenches and standing puddles.

Homeowners in South Louisiana and elsewhere in the Gulf South who are rebuilding after last year’s hurricanes have opportunities to add more termite protection to their homes, according to experts with the LSU AgCenter.

Bugs of the month.

PowerPoint on spring honey and pollen sources.

Two videos presenting information on the pink hibiscus mealybug.

common beneficials in and around the yard.

Help discover locations where the Formosan subterranean termite is not known to exist.

Report and send in samples of Formosan subterranean termites to help determine its range and help prevent its spread.

Native subterranean termites are found throughout Louisiana and are a natural part of the environment in Louisiana. Formosan subterranean termites, native to East Asia, arrived in the United States after World War II and were established in New Orleans by 1966.

Considerations on integrated pest management of termites and other wood attacking organism are presented in depth.

Landscaping practices may increase the risk of subterranean termites attacking a structure and of spreading Formosan subterranean termites. Information is presented on the types of woody plants that termites attack and methods of inspection.

Landscaping practices may increase the risk of subterranean termites attacking a structure and of spreading formosan subterranean termites. Concepts on reducing the risks of moving and reporting Formosan subterranean termites are presented.

One important key for successful management of a pest is to identify it. This publication can help you differentiate between ants and the dry-wood and subterranean termites that are pests in Louisiana. It also contains specific information on Formosan subterranean termites.

Things to consider when constructing or renovating a home to protect your house from termites.

This poster addresses where Argentine Ants are found in Louisiana, as well as cost-effective ways to control them.

This poster discusses background of Argentine Ants, baits that are cheap and effective for indoor use, and outdoor ant control.

This poster discusses natural feeding preferences, adapted feeding preferences and feeding strategies of the Argentine Ant.

Stepping outdoors was like being under attack for one homeowner. Fire ants were everywhere in her yard. Her sister’s pasture also was under siege. So they turned to an LSU AgCenter entomologist for help. (Runtime: 1 minute, 47 seconds)

The 3-dimensional structure of tetrahydronootkatone and nootkatone was determined. A description of our methods and results are provided.

Well, we are coming to the final days of the year, and we still have a few bugs causing some problems.

This Web page examines the materials available to the homeowners for use on ornamentals and turf.

Ants and insects of the month

Bugs of November to watch for in home and yards.

Well, summer is here, and we are seeing some different pests to start it off.

The public can order any fire ant bait through local hardware stores, nurseries or coop/feed stores.

We finally got some rain but it only made things grow better for some pests.

The weather has warmed, and the bugs are everywhere. Some are even a little early.

This is going to be an interesting beginning to what appears to be a long, hot, buggy year. Several problems are being affected by the hot dry weather, and some bugs are being found early and in areas where they are not usually a problem.

Provides Honeybee informatiom in Louisiana. Includes honey prices, pest control, bee hive registration information as well as information on swarms and removal of bees.

Fire ants may be an indoor problem during the dry season as they search for water and food. The mounds move below the surface but they will still forage for food during the cooler times of the day.

Spring is supposed to be here shortly, but the temperature outside is a little frosty. But this hasn’t deterred the insects.

The weather has been up and down, and the bug populations seem to have adjusted. And if this is any indication, we will have a full year and then some. We are having reports on pests that normally do not show up until April.

The weather may have killed a few insects, but the vast majority are still kicking. A good example are the mosquitoes we have been seeing every time the sun warms us up a little.

The lobate lac scale, native to India and Sri Lanka, was first reported on hibiscus in Broward County, Florida, in 1999 and was found on several other hosts in Broward and Miami-Dade counties in 2000. The scale was found in six additional southern Florida counties by 2004, and it has rapidly become a major pest. This publication was produced and distributed by USDA–CSREES Integrated Pest Management Centers in cooperation with the National Plant Diagnostic Network, APHIS, and ARS.

Map showing parishes that have a spreader available for use in area wide application of fire ant baits. Listing of locations by parish that have implemented the area wide program.

Volume 72 provides information on the African honeybee movement into Louisiana, Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry district offices, The state beekeepers' meeting, the October field day at the USDA Bee Breeding and Physiology Laboratory and the State Fair honey competition.

It seems just yesterday it was 2007. Pest problems are light presently, but two major situations have developed.

The winners of the 2006 honey competition competed in three categories: Light Honey, Amber Honey and Dark Honey. Due to the reduced number of entries, the competition will be discontinued at the state fair. The competition will be moved to the state beekeepers meeting if enough requests are made for it to continue.

It’s been an exhausting year with all that has happened. We have the African honeybee in three parishes; we had hot, dry weather that reduced the honey crop; the price of honey went down; and we had not one but two hurricanes that tried to blow us all away or drown us.

Lady bugs are excellent predators of aphids and several other small, soft-bodied insect pests, but they have a bad habit of colonizing when the weather begins to cool. Watch for wasps and bees looking for a place to overwinter, and keep a sharp eye out for pests in Christmas trees and firewood.

Bugs of the month.

Mosquitoes buzz around Louisiana every day of the year. More than 60 species inhabit the state. While many are benign, some are carriers – or vectors – of several worrisome diseases. It's everyone's responsibility to keep their numbers down.

LSU AgCenter scientists continue to add weapons to their arsenal as they battle the spread of the Formosan subterranean termite. And they’re making headway. This pest voraciously consumes wooden structures and woody plants and causes hundreds of millions of dollars in damages.

Information about studies on CCD.

Power point on invasive species.

The destructive force of tidal surges from hurricanes Katrina and Rita at least had one benefit – controlling fire ants, according to researchers from the LSU AgCenter. LSU AgCenter entomologist Dr. Linda Hooper-Bui recently said field surveys in the area of Plaquemines, St. Bernard and Orleans parishes area after Hurricane Katrina and in Southwest Louisiana after Hurricane Rita showed the fire ant population was far below normal in areas flooded by storm surge.

Red imported fire ants are not just a nuisance. They pose a health threat to many individuals allergic to their sting. LSU AgCenter entomologists are working to control these pests.

Bugs to watch for in May

Properly identifying the ant species is the first step in determining whether and how to control them. In this publication there are options for managing various kinds of imported fire ant problems.

This article encourages people to begin to organize their community-wide fire ant management day for launch in mid-April

Efforts are under way to prevent the spread of Formosan subterranean termites in mulch from New Orleans and Louisiana following hurricanes Katrina and Rita. It is true that there is a lot of cellulose debris (wood, paper and their products) in Louisiana following these two hurricanes.

The commissioner of agriculture in Louisiana imposed a quarantine for the Formosan subterranean termite on October 3, 2005, in Calcasieu, Cameron, Jefferson, Jefferson Davis, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. John the Baptist, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa and Washington parishes. The Formosan subterranean termite is the most destructive insect in Louisiana.

Owners of South Louisiana property affected by last year’s hurricanes may need to evaluate the termite protection for their homes and other buildings but won’t necessarily need to treat again, according to an entomologist with the LSU AgCenter.

Pier and beams construction can make temite tubes visible if good contruction techniques are followed

This publication includes a description of wireworms and explains the importance and types of injuries they can cause to your trees. It also includes information on their life history, habits and methods of control.

People who work or play outdoors are often attacked by numerous species of insects, ticks and mites. If you choose or are required to be outside when insects are active, use a repellent. This publication explains how repellents are chemical substances that protect people from insect attack by making the body unattractive or offensive to insects. A repellent does not have to kill insects to be effective, although it may.

Identification, biology and treatment of pavement ants

Identification, biology, and treatment of Little Black Ants.

(Distributed 11/27/07) Butterfly gardening is a rewarding hobby that creates a calming effect, Wendy Babiak of Shreveport said as she observed a butterfly garden at the State Fair of Louisiana. Babiak, a Master Gardener who has a “wildlife oasis smack in the middle of Broadmoor,” a Shreveport subdivision, helped put together an LSU AgCenter fair exhibit on how gardening can be used to attract butterflies.

The chances of poultry and other domestic birds acquiring mosquito-transmitted encephalitis viruses are relatively low, according to an LSU AgCenter expert, who says you also can take precautions to further reduce that risk.

The purpose of this study was to determine if differences in worker size are indicative of social form for Solenopsis invicta colonies in Louisiana.

This table indicates the amount of bait in ounces and tablespoons needed per square foot for effective control of fire ants.

A Southern IPM Center publication. When choosing a broadcast bait to control imported fire ants, consumers and professional pesticide applicators face a confusing array of brand names and active ingredients with varying product performances. This guide addresses common concerns about broadcast baits to help consumers and professionals choose products that best fit their needs and situations.

This poster discusses the specific characteristics used to identify Argentine Ants.

Identification, biology and treatment of the elongate twig ant.

Identification, biology and treatment of the crazy ant in structures.

Information on biology and management of Cimex lectularius.

A couple of bugs this month are new to the state. You're encouragedto pick up and send in anything you have not seen before. Especially if you get plants from outside the state or something unusual shows up after a storm or other extreme conditions.

Authorities are releasing a natural enemy of the pink hibiscus mealybug to try to bring this insect, which is a danger to both nursery and agricultural crops, under control, LSU AgCenter entomologist Dr. Dale Pollet said Tuesday (Oct. 10, 2006).

Parishes with confirmed infestations of pink hibiscus mealybug.

A few strange caterpillars and other insects are being found around the state.

Most people are aware of the damage fire and severe weather can do to their homes, but many overlook the threat of termites. Photos of termite damage and signs of termite infestation are included in this publication, which covers Formosan subterranean termites and other subterranean termites.

Ants range from mildly to highly annoying. Knowing the species, biology and control can help you manage them. This is a useful reference for pest management professionals, extension personnel and homeowners. A key to ants, color photographs, diagrams and a glossary are included. Spiral bound copies are available for $10 each. To purchase using a check, use the pdf order form. To purchase with a credit card, click on "order publication."

Fire Ants move long distances through the transport of potted plants, soil and sod. Fire ants spread by producing new queens and colony movement from unacceptable site due to flooding or other disturbances.

All fire ant baits work very well when applied according to the label instructions. The way a fire ant bait works depends on the active ingredient in the bait.

Because of the impact of mosquitoes in Louisiana on humans and domestic and wild animals, the negative effect on tourism and especially their potential as carriers of organisms that cause diseases, the first mosquito abatement districts were established in the early 1960s. Since then, with the help of the Louisiana Mosquito Control Association (LMCA) and the Louisiana State University Agricultural Center (AgCenter) entomologists, several other parishes have established mosquito control programs

Dr. Maxwell Lea of the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry provides information on the diagnosis and treatment of 3 mosquito-borne diseases afflicting animals in Louisiana: Canine Heartworm Disease, Eastern Equine Encephalomyelitis (Sleeping Sickness) and West Nile Virus.

This publication includes information on the identification and management of carpenter bees.

The process of removing honeybees from walls in a house is complex. This publication explains how to safely and properly remove the bees from your walls.

The red imported fire ant, a Louisiana resident since the early 1950s, can be a painful pest or a beneficial friend. Depending on your situation, you may want to manage these ants or simply let them go about their helpful way. Eradication vs. management of the fire ant is discussed in this fact sheet.

Lesson activity for 4th-12th graders on fighting off mosquitoes.

The twospotted spider mite is one of the most persistent and damaging pest problems affecting strawberry production in Louisiana. Damage, description, life cycle, monitoring, control information and color photos included. Spanish version also included.

Termites can not eat through solid concrete. In order to enter a structure they must come up around the outside edges or enter through some other opening in the slab. Traditional termite treatments require the application of a continuous chemical barrier to the soil around all possible entry points.

The Argentine ant, an exotic species brought to New Orleans from South America in the late 1800s, is found throughout the state after being transported in nursery stock and by cars, boats and RVs. Their huge colonies, with millions of workers and hundreds of queens, extend for miles. Identifying characteristics, areawide management and cultural controls incuded.

Information on Phorid flies creating problems in hurricane damaged areas. They feed on and develop in decaying vegetable and animal material.

A complete list of all ant species found in Louisiana. The link to the Ant Web at the bottom of the table gives information on the different species of ants of Louisiana.

The identification and biology of the army ant, Labidus coecus.

Identification, biology and treatment of the Pharaoh Ant

Big-headed ants are small to large ants (2-8mm) that appear to have many sizes.

Acrobat ants, Crematogaster spp., are small (2-4mm), ants that appear to be all the same size.) The abdomen is heart-shaped when viewed from above, (and) the heads are round.

Identification, biology and treatment of Cardiocondyla nuda.

Facts and information on the West Nile virus and how it's affecting Louisiana.

Keeping bees can be a fascinating and profitable hobby in Louisiana. Start with one or two colonies and as you learn the mechanics of beekeeping, establish additional colonies.

Is Retreating for Termites Necessary? Also find information on preventing formosan subterranean termites from spreading, disposing of termite infested wood and debris, transporting mulch and other wood debris, inspecting and retreating, signs of infestation and differences between termites and ants.

Many Louisiana gardeners are expressing their desire to attract butterflies to their yards. Learn how to create a butterfly-friendly environment with a few simple requirements: food, water, shelter and a place to reproduce.

Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) and western equine encephalitis (WEE) virus infections occur in horses and other equids. Where does EEE come from? What's the best way to protect a horse? Find these answers and more.

A scourge of New Orleans and South Louisiana could find its way to other parts of the state and country if people move wood that’s infested with Formosan subterranean termites.

The Formosan termite is a devastating pest that consumes wooden structures and woody plants and causes hundreds of millions of dollars of damage each year. The LSU AgCenter is making progress slowing its spread in the New Orleans' French Quarter, despite the devastation of Hurricane Katrina.

Hurricanes Katrina and Rita did not interfere with the LSU AgCenter’s efforts to control Formosan termites in New Orleans. Known as the French Quarter Program, the federally funded pilot test began in 1998.

Fire ants can be a serious problem after hurricanes – particularly in flooded areas, according to experts with the LSU AgCenter.

The Formosan subterranean termite was spread to Louisiana around the end of World War II. Described as the most important structural pestof the new millennium, the Formosan subterranean termite is now considered the most destructive insect in Louisiana.This publication includes information on how to decrease the spread of Formosan subterranean termites.

They can travel across a country or even traverse continents in a suitcase or shoe, and they’re infamous for infesting intimate locations – beds. Now the fabled bedbug is infesting beds around New York City, and some people are concerned if the bugs will spread.

LSU AgCenter faculty members are working on plans to put the Formosan subterranean termite research project in New Orleans’ French Quarter back on track after the recent hurricanes.

Growing conditions last summer and a mild winter means growers helped foster high levels of nematodes in many fields. Planting corn instead infested areas can be the solution because the crop is a poor host.