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

The Louisiana Master Farmer Program helps agricultural producers voluntarily address the environmental concerns related to production agriculture, as well as enhancing their production and resource management skills that will be critical for the continued viability of Louisiana agriculture.

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.

Louisiana Wildlife News is a bi-monthly publication intended to serve as an outlet for wildlife issues relevant to Louisiana and the Southeast. In addition to current news events, profiles on specific plant, wildlife and nuisance wildlife species are included in each issue.

(Video 11/21/06) Discussions of forestry best managment practices related to drainage in building roads during harvest. (Running Time: 60 seconds)

Describes procedures to follow when constructing a road in a forest.

Describes procedures to follow when constructing a road in a forest.

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.

Insect problems in swimming pools and solutions for getting rid of them.

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

Morehouse Parish Master Farmer Participants

Richland Parish Master Farmer Participants

Franklin Parish Master Farmer Participants

Tensas Parish Master Farmer Participants

Claiborne Parish Master Farmer Participants

Identification, biology and treatment of the elongate twig ant.

Information from the Stormwater Academy workshop held on June 12, 2006.

Information from the The BMP Design Workshop held on June 13, 2006. The curriculum is primarily for engineers, landscape architects, architects and planners. Topics include: What is a Design Storm?, Stormwater BMP Maintenance, Stormwater Wetland Design and Bio-retention Design.

Insects of the month. Bugs covered include: spiders, Cigarette/drugstore beetles, Indian meal moths,thrips, roaches, plants indoors, slugs and snails, Silverfish/firebrats, mosquitoes, brown recluse, bed bugs.

The EPA Stormwater Phase II program went into effect March 10, 2003 for urbanized areas with population densities of over 1,000 people per square mile and other designated areas. At this time the Stormwater control program for all small construction sites (1 to 5 acres) also went into effect. The program requires all affected areas to obtain a general permit and to file a Stormwater Management Plan for their Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4).

East Carroll Parish Master Farmer Participants

West Carroll Parish Master Farmer Participants

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

Recent wild fires in various states have led foresters/firefighters/land managers to seriously investigate and execute the methods required to carry out a successful fuel reduction project. A survey was mailed to target these types of individuals nationwide. The analysis resulted in classifying mechanical and burn only operations based on the nature of projects.

This exploratory study examined current and potential use of the Internet to conduct business and market products by the wood products industry in Louisiana. Respondents were asked to discuss their current or planned Internet strategies and impacts that are perceived to exist or could exist with Internet linked exchange partners.

This paper compares the use of extranets between the forest products industry and other U.S. business sectors. Extranets are secure networks that electronically link companies over the Internet. Results of the study indicate that the forest products industry uses extranet-based business applications with less frequency than other industrial sectors, receives fewer benefits and has greater concerns from using this business tool.

In this working paper we examine the use of the World Wide Web by primary wood products exporters. The study discovered that respondents used the Web mostly for promotion activities. The study also found that currently, multilingual Web sites are not likely to be more successful in reaching their objectives than English-only Web sites.

The objective of this study was to determine U.S. home builder and architect use of tropical hardwood products. The results of the study indicate that just under half of respondents are engaged in purchasing or specifying tropical hardwood products and that, for the most part, tropical hardwoods account for a small percentage of wood product purchases by US home builders.

In this research, a study was conducted on the major certification schemes currently in operation. A comparison of these schemes was made. Analysis of the principles applied by these schemes was also made while certified areas by the various schemes was also identified and presented as part of our comparison of the schemes.

At present, there are several leading certification programs in operation. This paper reviews the history of forest certification, development of different certification schemes, their progress and current issues.

The objective of this study was to compare paper supplier and buyer perceptions regarding using eIntermediaries to conduct business. Results indicate that paper buyer and supplier respondent attitudes and expectations regarding the use of eIntermediaries do not differ significantly. In addition, neither group has a strong desire to use eIntermediaries.

The forest sector is an important component of the economy of Ecuador. This paper discusses the current situation of the forest sector and a planning framework that can contribute to crafting national policies to promote a sustainable forest sector for Ecuador.

In this study we looked at US South homeowner awareness of treated wood issues and their perceptions about using treated wood indifferent possible applications in and around their homes. Although there was some confusion among respondents on what types and brands of treatments exist in the marketplace, there appears to be a bright future for treated wood in homebuilding and remodeling application in the US South.

The eBusiness revolution is impossible to ignore. It has transformed businesses in virtually every industry and reshaped the global economy. In this study, we research to further describe factors that influence the success of an extranet implementation in business.

Successful Internet-based business practice adoption and implementation is contingent on a number of factors. In this paper, we examine the influence of corporate culture on Internet adoption. Although not all results were statistically significant, all were directionally as hypothesized with a high marketing orientation being more positively correlated to perceived Internet implementation effectiveness.

In our previous study, the NIPF of Louisiana indicated that Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) would be most acceptable to them as a certifying agency. A key question remained, however: Is the approach currently utilized by the LDAF to implement Stewardship an equivalent surrogate for certification? This research attempts to answer that question by comparing the Louisiana Forest Stewardship Program with the guidelines of four sustainable forest management standards.

In this research, we studied how the paper industry makes use of E-commerce. We conclude that the paper industry is aware of the potential gains to be made by creating an effective supply chain management systems communicating through the Internet. E-commerce has provided new applications for use in the paper industry customer interface including e-marketplaces, EDI connections and papiNet.

In this report we provide some statistical information on the nature and scope of occupational injuries in the logging industry in Louisiana from 1985 through 1998.The data presented in this report are based on reportable claims (fatality, a permanent disability, or a disability resulting in more than 7 lost calendar days) which were received by the Office of Workers' Compensation between 1985 and 1998 for employees covered under the Louisiana Workers' Compensation Act.

In this paper, we discuss the results of Ready-To-Assemble (RTA) furniture market research which was conducted to better understand the current dynamics in this furniture sector. Within the furniture industry, the RTA furniture segment is a high growth segment which is likely to continue to outperform most other segments in the industry. We conclude that for individual manufacturers to succeed, quality, pricing and, above all, design has to be progressive and competitive.

This paper presents an overview of key drivers which are going to bring wide spread usage of remote sensing in the forest products industry. The article also discusses reasons behind the surge of interest in remote sensing, surveys its present status in the industry, and attempts to envision the short- and medium-term future.

The objectives of this study were to examine the use of some lesser-used wood-based inputs and to determine their selection criteria by furniture and cabinet manufacturers in the Southern United States. In this research we found that no respondents used OSB (oriented strandboard). Respondents in all industry sectors studied said that they planned to increase usage of lumber and plywood. We also found that the main reason respondents are not using OSB, LVL, PSL and LSL is customer objections.

A study was conducted in 1999 to study eBusiness in the pulp and paper industry in the United States and Canada. This study indicates that Canadian and U.S. pulp and paper respondents were fairly evenly matched in Internet implementation in 1998. They had similar concerns and faced similar impediments. This report presents the main study findings.

This study identifies Louisiana non-industrial private forest landowner attitudes toward forestry certification. The result of the studies identified that NIPF goals and objectives for their forestland are diverse. In the context of forest certification, initiatives are being developed by certifiers to accommodate the unique ownership characteristics of NIPFs.

This paper reports the results of some informal sound level readings made of the logging industry.

In this research, we studied the legal aspects and the various relevant clauses of a timber sale contract. We conclude that while a good contract is important, it is no substitute for being present at the work site. The landowner should walk the tract with the logger before commencement of the operations and visit the site often during harvesting. This way, problems can be prevented, and both parties will be much more satisfied.

This study was undertaken to update the knowledge base on adoption of Internet-based information technologies in the U.S lumber industry. Results indicate that respondents that adopted Internet-technologies did so because they found them to be an important tool in conducting business and in meeting their corporate needs.

In this research, we study Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) and buyer-supplier relationship. This paper presents the report of the study. Some of our conclusions are that forest products companies that have developed good working long-term relationships with home center customers are likely to have difficulties in adapting EDI into their business.

Over the past decade, the Ghana timber industry has experienced major changes that have subjected the industry to severe pressure regarding raw material availability and a struggle for efficient use of limited available timber. This research evaluates the impact of government interventions in the forest product trade and the marketing implications.

This paper describes a model that examines how corporate culture impacts IT adoption. Future research will include testing the model in the forest products industrial sector in the United States.

The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between age and environmental perceptions. The context is environmental issues and “green certification” in the forest product industry. We conclude that most of the differences that are due to age and gender may be due to income and class or culture.

The study discussed in this paper, conducted in 2000, indicates that overall growth of Internet use in the wood forest products industry in the United States is expected to increase in 2001. Larger firms, typically lead technology adopters, are predominant users of the Internet for eBusiness and are more likely to continue to be predominant eBusiness technology implementers in the future.

This paper seeks to provide guidance, understanding and reasons why private landowners should consider forest certification. It is also a useful source of information on types of certification systems available to date and more importantly the steps necessary to follow to achieve certification.

In this research, we study the history of the various processes of harvesting, skidding and transportation practices used in the Cypress Swamps of the Southern United States.

In this study, we surveyed U.S. Extension professionals on their employment experiences and personal perceptions about scholarship and service. Further, we segmented the results by U.S. census region to identify similarities and differences between regions. Overall, respondents receive satisfaction more important than scholarship in their jobs.

In this research, we studied Ghana's wood products sector and its competitiveness in the international wood products market. Our conclusions are that Ghana’s wood products industry can be competitive if changes are implemented collectively and in a coordinated and cooperative fashion by all stakeholders. These changes include improving processes and procedures in wood products value and supply chains and taking a more proactive approach in resource utilization and creating effective market.

In this study, we studied how the Rural/Urban Digital Divide could be bridged. We conclude that internet is becoming an invaluable tool for development. However, there is a challenge of how to ensure that all participants, industrialized and developing, urban and rural, rich and poor, and all races benefit from this technology. America should strive to turn the digital divide into digital opportunities to maintain economic growth.

The findings of this research indicate that a reduction in air-dried lumber production in Ghana was significantly and negatively related to imposition of the air-dry levy but had no significant relationship with raw material levels. It was further observed that products that are processed further downstream, including rotary and plywood, could not be significantly affected by the strategies.

In this study, we investigate four dimensions of customer interface IICT adoption. Our findings indicate that customer interface IICT adoption can improve information sharing with customers, reduce operational inefficiencies along the value chain, enhance the competitive position in the market, and deepen customer relationships. Business impacts were perceived to be positive across all tested constructs.

This paper empirically tests a theoretical model that makes the connection between organizational resources and capabilities and successful IICT adoption. Results suggest that, in addition to a robust information technology (IT) infrastructure, investment in organizational change management, the ability to sense changes in the technology environment, development of managerial IT knowledge, and a culture of freely shared internal information are key to a company's IICT development.

This paper highlights the success of LSU AgCenter and Honduras Participatory Forest Sector Development program. We conclude that success of development projects such as this will be measured in the future by the ability to encourage environmentally sound forest management practices and sustainable growth of the forest based industry sector.

In this research, we studied the implications of digital divide for African business development. We conclude that in order for the digital divide to be closed in Africa, the importance of the Internet and why it is needed has to win the hearts and minds of Africans.

In this study, we research US imports of tropical hardwood. The results indicate that the U.S. imports 161 different species of tropical hardwoods, 20 percent from Africa, 43 percent from Asia, and 37 percent from Latin America. However, importers are often resistant to market new tropical wood species as it is difficult to introduce new species that compete with species currently accepted in the market.

This issue contains: Director’s Message; Chitosan-metal Complex Helps Protect Engineered Wood Products; Louisiana Launches Forest Sector Economic Development Web Site; Input-Output Applications to Forest Product Sector Development; Forest Product Activities at Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry; LSU AgCenter Establishes Center; "Meet" our Graduate Students, Research Associates, Post-docs, and Visiting Students and Professors.

Articles in this issue of the newsletter include: Director's Message, LFPDC Has First and Second Place Award Winners, Engineered Wood Composite Program on the Run, Wood Products Extension Programming, E-Commerce Opportunity for Wood Products, An Economic Opportunity for Reducing Forest Fuels, Vlosky to Lead UNECE Marketing Team, Treated Wood Research Series.

Articles in this issue include: Extension Expands Reach of Louisiana Forest Products Development Center, We Have a New Name, Chancellor Holds Industry Roundtable on Louisiana Forest Sector Development, Lumber Quality and Lumber Yields at Small Lumber Processing Operations, Wood-based Composites Research at the LFPDC, LFPDC Celebrates 10th Anniversary, Formosan Subterranean Termite Product Testing.

The following articles are presented in this issue: Director’s Message, Preliminary Investigation of Bio-composites Fabricated From Liquefied Wood/Phenol/Formaldehyde Co-condensation Resin, Nanoassembly on Recycled Fibers to Improve Resource Utilization, Using GPS to Document Skidder Motions, Unprecedented Economic Development Opportunities, Roy O. Martin Lumber Company and Martco Limited Partnership Experience With FSC Certification.

Articles in this issue include: LFPDC Director’s Message, Rutherford Named New Director of the School of Renewable Natural Resources, Vlosky Participates in Forest Products Marketing Capacity Building in Europe, LFPDC Receives $170,000 Grant to Build Extrusion Capability, Value-Added Wood Products Extension at LFPDC, LFPDC Hires New Value added Extension Faculty, Vlosky Named to Louisiana Forestry Association Board, Fragmentation Challenging Louisiana Forests Owners.

Articles include: Director’s Message, Storm Clean up?, Experts Say Forest Management Requires Environmental Component, CBIT works with LFPDC on Supply Chain Initiative and Web Site, Process Holds Promise For Recycling Pressure Treated Wood, Forest Products Economic Development Update, Mechanical Forest Fuel Reduction vs. Burn-Only, Tax Incentive Programs Offered for Louisiana Companies.

The following articles are presented in this issue of the newsletter: Unified Efforts, Governor's Forest Products Industry Task Force, New Extension Service Employee, Accidents Rate: Are we Measuring the Wrong Thing?, Louisiana Forest Products Laboratory Conducts Marketing Study in Northwest Louisiana, Lumber Drying Workshop and Small Wood Products Business Workshop.

Newsletter articles: Research Initiative on Wood-Based Panel Products Funded; Drying Operation Analysis; Touching Base With the Louisiana Forest Products Lab; Workshop on Cooperative Extension; List of Research Briefs, Visual Productions, Working Papers, Fact Sheets, and other Reports; Wood Products Research Offers Plan to Boost Northwest Louisiana Economy.

Articles in this newsletter include: How We Touch Louisiana, Description of the Expertise of the Forest Products Laboratory, Combined Efforts to Develop Termite Field Site, Using Near Infra Red Spectra to Link Wood and Genetic Properties.

Articles covered in this issue of the newsletter include: Workshop on Water Quality, Hardwood Workshop at Louisiana Tech., Welfare Reform and Forest Products Industry Development in Louisiana, The Second Annual Lumber Drying Workshop, Worldwide Concern of Resource Quality.

Articles in this issue are: LFPL Steering Committee Helps Set Path For Year 2000, Controlling Wood Moisture Content to Prevent Panel Warping, Linking Resource Characteristics to Product Characteristics, Louisiana Value-Added Wood Products Industry Report Now Available, A Softer Way to Harvest Timber.

Articles in this issue include: A Call For Action For Louisiana Forest Products Industry Develoment, Opportunity for Horizontal Diversification in Manufacturing Value-Added Wood Products, Studies on Warping Behavior of Overlaid Particleboards.

Articles in this issue of the newsletter include: FRA Gulf-States Forest Products International Trade Center (GULFPIC), Louisiana Style of Log Yard Profile, Studies on Oriented Strand Board, A Farewell Message to Dr. Rado Gazo.

Newsletter articles: Training Programs for Louisiana's Forest Products Industries Needed, New Study on Employment and Training Needs in the Louisiana Value-Added Wood Products Industry, LSU Forestry Club Students Go to Forestry Conclave, LFPL Researchers Turning Louisiana's Wood and Ag Residues into Fire Logs.

Articles in this issue include: Developing Termite-resistant Structural Wood-based Panels from Southern Wood Species, LSU School of Forestry Adopts New Name, Formosan Subterranean Termite-resistant Wood-based Materials Under Investigation, Marketing Program Helps Louisiana Producers, Accident Analysis Saves Lives in Logging Industry, Can Decommissioned CCA-Treated Wood Be Used for Structural Flakeboard?

In this issue, we present the following articles: Grant Awarded for Employment, Development Study; Research on Environmental Certification Finished; Causes & Analysis of Warp in Overlaid Furniture Panels; Third Annual 3-Day Lumber Drying Workshop to be Held February 24-26 in Baton Rouge; Hardwood Workshop Set for Louisiana Tech.

Articles in this newsletter include: Louisiana Forest Products Laboratory is Up and Running, Helping Louisiana Producers to Promote their Products, LFPL at Louisiana Tech University, SERBEP Study Yields Unexpected Result, Knowing Your Accidents, Software for the Rough Mill.

Articles in this issue of the newsletter include: LFPDC Enhances Economic Development in Louisiana; An Integrated Market-based Methodology for Value-added Solid Wood Products Sector Economic Development; Metafore, LSU AgCenter team up in Tropics; Properties of Bagasse Fiberboard Studied; First Memorial Lecture Features First Grad Student; Guide to Raised Floor Systems Now Available; LFPDC Researchers Look at Sugarcane Rind as a Raw Material for Composite Panels.

Ouachita Parish Master Farmer participants

Louisiana accounts for 80 percent of the nation's coastal wetland loss. Simply put, a large proportion of Louisiana acreage is wetland. Much of the state's economy depends upon wetlands. Find information on causes of wetland loss, definitions of wetlands and wetland functions and values.

Troubleshooting: Symptoms, possible causes and prescriptions for your composting problems.

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

Stormwater is the water that runs off the land following rains. It is the primary source of most of the water in our rivers and streams.

Composting fish waste is a relatively new, practical and an environmentally sound alternative to disposing of fish waste. It is economical, fairly odorless and a biologically beneficial practice for seafood operations. This publication explains that a commitment to proper management of the compost bins is the key to successful composting.

Thousands of Louisianians enjoy hunting. Most hunt safely, but chances are that if an accident happens, it’s because someone ignored safety rules, says LSU AgCenter hunter safety expert Dr. Don Reed.

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.

Discusses the causes and mitigations of soil erosion by water through a presentation created by the NRCS.

Discusses and demonstrates ways to prevent pollution in water.

Hunting doves in agricultural areas is considered by many to be one of the most enjoyable forms of hunting, but hunters must be familiar with the regulations, especially those about baiting. These regulations, along with other important information for managing agricultural areas for bird hunting, are included in this publication. (PDF Format Only)

Demonstrates construction BMP's through various images and illustrations. Topics include: Erosion Control, Sediment Control and Stormwater Management on Construction Sites and Urban Areas.

There are some concerns that the sawdust produced at a sawmill might be to small and that it might affect respiratory health. This study analyzed particle size from 5 different machine centers in a hardwood sawmill with a microscope and concluded that minimum particle size was too large to be considered harmfull to the human respiratory system. It should be noted that this study did not examine the effects of sawdust with regards to the development of cancer cells in the human body.

Demonstrates the construction pollution prevention plan through images, illustrations, and examples.

Discusses the Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) pertaining to storm water management on small construction sites.

Discusses the inspections and maintenance associated with handling storm water on small constructon sites.

Small hive beetles were first detected in the United States in 1996. Although they are relatively harmless pests in their native South Africa, they have become serious pests of honey bees, especially in the southeastern region of the United States. Information on damage, life cycle, best management practices and control included.

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).

Follow these 12 easy steps to make and maintain your compost pile.

AWCC member Micah Leonard is looking for volunteers to help restore a portion of the marshes in Avery Island, La.

The AWCC is looking for volunteers to help remove invasive tree species and clean up a bald cypress swamp.

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.

Louisiana has stepped out ahead of all other states in the nation in helping farmers learn to voluntarily comply with stricter environmental regulations governing water quality. This has happened because of the LSU AgCenter’s Master Farmer Program.

Lincoln Parish Master Farmer Participants

This article details the current interest in crazy ants: how to identify them, general information and how to manage them.

New invasive found in Louisiana.

There are more members than ever serving in southeast Louisiana

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

There are 10 members serving in southeast Louisiana ranging from Terrebone Parish to Plaquemines Parish.

The AWCC AmeriCorps Program is always looking for individuals that are willing to serve for 11 months and give back to their communities. If you are interested in becoming part of the program, feel free to download the more detailed "AWCC Position Description" and/or the "AWCC AmeriCorps Member Year 1 Application."

Come by the "World of Wonder" booth at the AgCenter's AgMagic booth at the State Fair of Louisiana.

For an increasing number of forest landowners, a forest is an investment. Understanding the basics of forest investments is essential in planning for long-term maximum benefits.

Listing of portable sawmill manufacturers. Contact information can be used to purchase a unit or to get a listing of owners within viscinity.

A trailer that breaks down on the road can ruin a good fishing trip. It is even worse if an accident results from the breakdown. To help prevent breakdowns, it is important to service your trailer regularly. Here are typical items to consider in establishing a maintenance program. (PDF Format Only)

Bugs of the month for September 2009 include: slugs, yellow jackets, stinging caterpillars, fire ants, love bugs, Green June beetles, loopers, Elongated Tree ants, armyworms, Diaprepes weevil.

bugs of the month

12 topics covered include various practices that can contribute to non-point source pollution emanating from a home. Steps and practices are provided that can prevent non-point pollution from entering storm water runoff.

This publication is intended to help local and municipal governments address potential concerns or problems between the public and beekeepers. (PDF Format Only)

Standard Conditions, Scientific Collecting (wild birds): 50 CFR 21.23 Conditions.

Until the recent rains we had little to talk about, but with the heavy rains and the showers, we are beginning to see movement in the insect populations.

The dry weather has given in to the rains, but the effects of the dry weather remain as some insect populations persist.

There are several aphid species being reported at this time. Nine other pests are also on the move this month.

We are seeing some replays on some pest and a few new ones. Pests covered this month include: Cinch bugs, fall army worms, cicadas, cicada killers, fire ants and yellow jackets.

Volunteers from across southern Louisiana met at Avery Island to help transplant marsh grass.

“Reduce the use.” That’s the mantra of a water conservation campaign spearheaded by LSU AgCenter educators in north Louisiana, where people are dependent on the gradually disappearing Sparta Aquifer.

Wetland Conservation is not just a coastal issue. Check out the members serving in North Louisiana!

The bugs of August 2009 include: Ensign wasps, Armyworms, Red-headed azalea caterpillars, Lantana lace bug, Asian hackberry aphid, Rose borer, Grape leaf skeletonizer.

Which composting system is right for you? Find the answers and more in this helpful guide to composting. (PDF Format Only)

Video streams of felling and skidding activities and BMPs associated with felling and skidding

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.

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

AWCC members Ethan Graves and Alicia Scallan present Governor Jindall with bat boxes and wood duck boxes that will be used in later restoration projects.

Field days and activities that fulfill Phase II requirement for the Louisiana Master Farmer Program.

To date, 92 producers have completed the requirements for becoming Certified Master Farmers.

The Master Farmer Newsletters are available to you online to keep you updated on the Master Farmer Program.

This video describes proper site preparation and reforestation best management practices, including reasons why proper site preparation and reforestation are so important. Included in the discussion are ground cover to minimize soil erosion and the environmental benefits of quickly establishing a new forest.

St. Landry Parish Master Farmer Participants

Scientists from the LSU AgCenter this week started planting grass as the first step in a research project designed to evaluate its ability to protect earthen levees on the Gulf Coast. The plant, which already is used widely for erosion control and is known to have some repellent qualities to termites, is vetiver grass.

A process for recycling treated wood products could save on disposal costs and liability concerns by keeping treated wood out of high-cost landfills, according to developers at the LSU AgCenter.

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.

(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.

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

Overview of methods used to conserve water and reduce pumping costs on farms.

Best management practices for site preparation and reforestation.

This section describes useful steps forest landowners can take to ensure that their forestland is protected and managed sustainably.

This form should be completed prior to commencement of commercial harvesting activities adjacent to natural and scenic rivers.

A map of the Louisiana Natural and Scenic Rivers that shows which parts of rivers in Louisiana are part of the system. The river systems are numbered and the numbers correspond to the numbers listed in the legend.

BMPs for chemical use and application in forest wetlands.

Description of circumstances where site preparation activities do or do not require a permit.

Mandatory best management practices for road construction and maintenance in forest wetlands

Best management practices for harvesting operations in forest wetlands.

Describes best management practices for permanent and temporary roads in forest wetlands, including 15 federally mandated best management practices for roads in forest wetlands.

This page lists several questions for facility managers to help gauge a facility’s present water-efficiency performance.

A pumping system’s efficiency is calculated by comparing the amount of fuel used to the amount of water pumped.

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.

Simple tips on how to conserve water in the workplace: educate your employees and coworkers; know your usage; identify and fix leaks; maximize the efficiency of your cooling tower; install water efficient equipment; minimize the use of water for cleaning purposes.

A few tips on health and safety for those using treated wood in construction projects.

Dates, times and locations of Master Farmer training opportunities in north and central Louisiana.

PowerPoint on spring honey and pollen sources. Among those included: White Dutch Clover, Vetch, Verbenia, Wisteria, Mint, Willow, American Buckwheat Vine, Tallow, Magnolia, Orange Citrus, Passion Vine, Black or Honey Locust, Crimson Clover, Sweet Clover.

Bugs of the month: Asian wooly aphid, Lubber grasshopper, June beetles, Crape myrtle aphids, Psocids, African honey bees, Orange dog caterpillar, Cicada killers.

The ability of farmers to burn sugarcane is a significant economic factor for the state’s sugarcane industry. Burning of sugarcane before harvest eliminates from 30 percent to 50 percent of the leafy trash (residue), which constitutes from 20 percent to 25 percent of the total weight of the plant.

These guidelines are intended to help manage smoke and ash from sugarcane prescribed burning operations to lessen their impact on public health and welfare.

Detecting and repairing leaks is one of the main components of water conservation. Old or poorly constructed pipelines, inadequate corrosion protection, poorly maintained valves and mechanical damage are some of the factors contributing to leakage.

There are may easy and practical ways to cut back our water use in our yards and gardens.

There are many things everyone can do to help conserve water when they are at home.

Water loss from a water distribution system is a significant factor affecting water delivery to customers. Water loss can be either apparent losses due to meter inaccuracies or unauthorized consumption, or real losses due to leakage at water service lines.

New invasive that has been found in Louisiana. Information and pictures of this new pest.

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

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 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.

Learn how you can Fight the Bite and be a Skeeter Buster

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

A document containing the Louisiana Pesticide Rules and Regulations.

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

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

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

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

Describes BMPs for location and planning of permanent forest roads.

This publication will help you understand special terms and abbreviations commonly used in natural resource management.

Describes procedures to follow when constructing a road in a forest.

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

This article describes a stainless steel mesh that may be used as a barrier preventing termites from entering structures around specific routes of entry .

Provides additional links for information on termites.

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.

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

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

Topographic maps defined and described, including scale, relief and slope.

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

Benefits and functions of wetlands, what qualifies as "normal silvicultural activities," established silvicultural operations, section 404 permits, legal definition of wetlands and planning forest operations in wetland areas.

Learn how to inspect and treat your home for Formosan subterranean termites.

Most homeowners enjoy the presence of beautiful trees in their yards; however, when these trees must be removed, unsightly stumps remain. Quick, easy and cheap methods to remove these stumps do not exist, but here are some helpful tips on what can be done.

Describes best management practices for prescribed burning, why it is an important silvicultural tool and what to avoid when conducting prescribed burns.

Best management practices for revegetation as well as equipment maintenance and litter.

Best management practices for logging landings, decks and sets and what to avoid.

Guns are not responsible for the biggest percentage of hunting-related accidents in Louisiana, according to the LSU AgCenter’s hunting safety expert, who says that distinction goes to deer stands Dr. Don Reed says hunters should check their stands for safety prior to hunting. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

Ants and insects of the month: Crazy raspberry ants, Caribbean crazy ant, Crazy ants, Paratrechina longicornis, leaf-cutting ant, Atta texana, Pharaoh ants, Monomorium pharaonis, Argentine ant, Linepithyema humile, Carpenter ants, Camponotus, Spider mites, Fall web worms, River birch sawfly, Citrus psyllid

A simple list of recommended specifications for forest roads.

BMPs for temporary forest roads.

Wing ditches defined, their use, where and how they are applied, and recommended specifications.

This article describes a forest road system and provides best management practices for locating and constructing roads, as well as what to avoid.

Introduction to timber harvesting operations and best management practices related to planning for a timber harvest.

Streamside Management Zones defined, their benefits, why they are used and BMPs for streamside management to help protect water quality.

Aerial views of Streamside Management Zones.

Insects of the month for June 2009.

BMPs for felling and skidding logs and what to avoid.

Aerial photographs defined, what they provide, and where they can be found.

Soil maps defined and how they are used.

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 TMDL is a pollution budget for a specific waterbody (river, lake, stream, etc.). It is the maximum amount of a pollutant that can be released into a waterbody without causing the waterbody to become impaired and/or violate state water quality standards. Information on point and nonpoint sources and the history of TMDLs is included.

Links to other useful sources on water quality.

With suburban sprawl continuing to invade wildlife habitat, many gardeners have come face to face with a new reality, the white-tailed deer.

Forage species are primarily stocked in private waters throughout the Southeast as a food source for largemouth bass and other predator species. Unfortunately, the ideal forage species for all management situations does not exist. Therefore, managers often attempt to maximize largemouth bass production by stocking a multi-forage base. In many southeastern states, private landowners must rely on private hatcheries as sources for appropriate forage species.

Contact information on the faculty associated with water quality.

Sound stewardship of urban and community trees includes employing the services of arborists to help maintain their health and vitality. This article provides the homeowner tips on finding and hiring a tree care professional for your residential tree care needs.

In Louisiana, lumber used for construction of a building must have a grade stamp. This is used to predict a maximum allowable load capacity. A separate moisture-content stamp is also present on most lumber purchased from wholesale and retail distributors. Typically, most pine umber is kiln dried to 19% moisture content, which is advisable for home construction.

Brief summary informing people of the abundance of fire ant mounds in pastures at the St. Gabriel Research Station.

Bugs for the month of May 2009. We are getting hot and wet, and we are beginning to see some serious insect problems.

This publication inventories the functions and values of the Barataria-Terrebonne Estuary System at the interface of the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico, and it chronicles the serious plight of landscape deterioration facing its inhabitants.

The AWCC is looking for volunteers to help restore City Park New Orleans any day between May 11-15.

Bugs to watch for in May

The use of a constructed wetland to improve effluent water quality is a potentially valuable tool for agriculture in Louisiana.

Information about studies on CCD.

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

Bugs of the month

Twenty-seven farmers, including three couples, joined an elite group of 92 that have been certified as Louisiana Master Farmers. The 27 were recently honored at a luncheon held at the Annual Meeting of the Louisiana Association of Conservation Districts in January 2009.

College students from California and Vermont volunteer with the AWCC to help restore Bayou St. John.

The AWCC will be leading a group of volunteers plant marsh grass at Big Branch National Wildlife Refuge near Lacombe, LA.

AWCC Members Justin Trahan and Ethan Graves put on great projects!

AWCC AmeriCorps members partnered with AmeriCorps members from ULL to help with a variety of renovation projects at 4-H Camp Grant Walker.

Three AWCC members serving in Lafayette assisted with a 4-H fishing clinic

Evangeline Parish Master Farmer Participants

Concordia Parish Master Farmer Participants

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.

Insects for March: Buck moths, Eastern tent caterpillars, Forest tent caterpillars, Tussock moths, Varied carpet beetles, Mites, White flies, Scales.

Marsh Maneuvers may sound like a covert operation – particularly since it involves a group of hand-picked high school students spending five days on a private island.

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.

Master Farmer Curriculum information including classroom instruction, certification program activities, and development of conservation plans.

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

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.

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.

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

Definition and importance of planning for slope in land features. Estimating slope. Other sources of slope information

Master Farmer phase 1 recap and reviews.

Master Farmer national curriculum PowerPoint presentations

The Louisiana Master Farmer Program awarded its first annual Outstanding Master Farmer award at the Louisiana Association of Conservation Districts annual convention on January 8, 2009. A certified Master Farmer who has shown dedication to agriculture, conservation, and his profession is chosen for this award .

Acadia Parish Master Farmer Participants

Contact information about the Master Farmer Program.

East Baton Rouge Parish Master Farmer Participants

On February 15, 2009, AWCC Members at the 4H Mini Barn in Baton Rouge to help pack supply boxes for the 2009 Youth Wetlands Week.

On February 14, 2009, AWCC members got to know each other and wetlands! Members participated in the high ropes course at the LSU University Recreation Complex.

2008 Issue: Agriculture is a multibillion dollar industry for Louisiana -- creating jobs and generating income in rural and urban areas. This publication contains facts about Louisiana's agricultural commodities, agriculture's monetary value, what agriculture is and what agriculture means to you.

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.

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

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.

Bugs of the month.

Provides instructions for downloading registration forms in PDF format. Return the completed registration form to your county agent's office or parish NRCS office.

This article describes the planning-stage process of evaluating of a drainage area or watershed prior to initating a forestry-related activity.

This list of BMPs (Best Management Practices) is a guide for the selection and implementation of those practices that will help producers to conserve soil and protect water and air resources by reducing pollutants from reaching both surface and ground water.

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.

The Louisiana Master Farmer Program is an effort to demonstrate that agricultural producers can and will voluntarily reduce the impact that agricultural production has on Louisiana’s environment.

(Distributed 05/22/03) Louisiana farmers moved one step closer to having a chance at official certification as Master Farmers this week.Louisiana Senate passed HB 1827 Monday (May 19) provides for official state certification of those who complete the LSU AgCenter’s Master Farmer educational program.

Why is the sugarcane industry important to Louisiana? Why do farmers burn sugarcane in the first place? What are the benefits of burning sugarcane? Find these answers and more.

AWCC to Intall Christmas Tree Sand Fences

Bugs of February

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.

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

This article discuses the Christmas Tree farm industry in general, then describes the most common tree species found in Louisiana, and gives some tips on choosing the right tree and keeping it healthy.

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.

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.

Identification, biology, and treatment of Little Black Ants.

Identification, biology and treatment of pavement ants

Information on biology and management of Cimex lectularius.

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.

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.

An easy-to-understand guide for the forest landowner seeking to apply herbicides to pest tree species on his or her property.

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 AWCC member, Ashley Roach, will be installing wood duck boxes outside of Ruston, LA on January 19, 2009 and could use extra hands!

Information on recirculating production systems, fingerling sources, stocking and harvest management, regulatory considerations, economics and markets are included in this publication.

One of the biggest questions that has arisen in recent years involves the apparent disparity in federal restoration funding provided for the Florida Everglades versus that provided for coastal Louisiana. This document uses published reports and secondary data to develop a parallel comparison of Florida and Louisiana wetlands at the state, regional, program and resource levels.

An historical overview of Louisiana fisheries in the context of pre- and post-levee construction on the Mississippi River. Data from the Caernarvon Freshwater Diversion is used to describe the relationship between freshwater re-introduction and estuarine fisheries productivity. The report characterizes the conflict between Louisiana’s short-term and long-term goals of coastal restoration and coastal fisheries management.

More than 75% of Louisiana’s coastal wetlands are privately owned, yet the majority of restoration funding provided through federal and state initiatives is directed toward large-scale, public restoration projects. This report compares and contrasts the programmatic and economic aspects of the coastal and inland models of wetland restoration that have evolved in Louisiana over the past decade.

This document provides a synoptic overview of this 40-year-old navigation channel from project inception through modern day. Economic and environmental impacts related to the MRGO are documented for St. Bernard Parish and potential restoration scenarios are described. Additional information is provided on the time and financial resources required to fully address the environmental degradation caused by the MRGO.

Bugs for January.

The AWCC is looking for volunteers to help with a Planting Restoration Project at New Orleans City Park

Bugs to watch for in December

Conflicting information and media coverage about hazards of mold and how to handle mold problems have left many people confused, concerned and sometimes frightened. If you have or suspect a mold problem in your home, this fact sheet will help you make well-informed decisions about how to fix the problem and prevent its return.

In the right conditions, molds multiply and can release enough spores in the air to cause health problems.

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.

Urban areas with their concentrations of people, vehicles, homes, parking lots, streets, small and large business, industry and sewage can create heavy loads of pollutants in their Stormwater runoff.

On March 10, 2003 the Small Construction Site Stormwater Program went into effect.

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

Identification, biology and treatment of the Pharaoh Ant

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

Wood is a renewable natural resource that, if properly treated, maintained and placed in service, will last indefinitely. It is critial for us to use our wood resources efficiently. This publication is intended to increase your knowledge of the causes and control of wood decay, degradation and stain.

It may be tempting to ignore tree stumps and tree debris left over from hurricanes because of the expense of removal. But if let go long enough, this can lead to a nuisance far more expensive to clean up – carpenter ants.

Bugs of November to watch for in home and yards.

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

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.

Information card on tackling termite problems when beginning a renovation project

Hunters and land managers are always seeking new and more innovative ways to improve the quality and attractiveness of their hunting areas. “What should I plant to attract and hold deer on my hunting area?" Find your answers in this publication.

Information card on places to look for Formosan subterranean termite Infestations

Information card on where to look for termites in trees

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.

(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 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 09/10/08) Hurricane Gustav caused many problems for people throughout Louisiana, and wildlife also are feeling the effects of the storm.

There will be trees from the Shady Pond Christmas Tree Farm northeast of New Orleans this year – thanks in large part to some help from fellow growers from North Carolina.

Louisiana seafood products making their way to the market now are safe – despite disruptions and losses the industry suffered as the result of Hurricane Katrina, according to experts at the LSU AgCenter.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Document containing the Louisiana Pesticide Law.

The America's WETLAND Foundation through the Campaign is raising awareness of the impact of Louisiana's wetland loss and increase support for efforts to conserve and save coastal Louisiana.

AmeriCorps is a network of local, state, and national service programs that connects more than 70,000 Americans each year in intensive service to meet our country’s critical needs in education, public safety, health, and the environment.

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.

This publication gives several tips on how to pump less water and to make sure your pumping plant is being used as efficiently as possible. (PDF Format Only)

Washwater is a necessary part of alligator production, but so is the management of the water. (PDF Format Only)

Two videos presenting information on the pink hibiscus mealybug.

common beneficials in and around the yard.

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.

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.

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)

Vermilion Parish Master Farmer Participants

Best management practices (BMPs) are used by agricultural producers to control the generation and delivery of pollutants from agricultural activities to water resources of the state, thereby reducing the amount of agricultural pollutants entering surface and ground waters. This publication includes information on five main areas: nutrient management, pesticide management, soil and water management, pasture management and general farm BMPs.

A cinder block multiple bin looks like three cinder block holding units in a row. It is sturdy, and if you can find used cinder blocks, it is relatively inexpensive to build. Materials list and instructions included.

This composting system actually works. Materials list and instructions included.

A cinder block bin is sturdy, durable and easily accessible. Materials list and instructions are included.

Mulch material does not have to be finished compost. But you can also mulch with compost. Materials list and instructions are included.

Vernon Parish Master Farmer Participants

St. Tammany Parish Master Farmer Participants

St. Helena Parish Master Farmer Participants

Rapides Parish Master Farmer Participants

Avoyelles Parish Master Farmer Participants

This is a comprehensive glossary of basic terms used in forest management.

This guide describes the conservation measures or Best Management Practices (BMPs) for rice production implemented primarily for the purpose of conserving and protecting soil and water resources by controlling the movement of potential agricultural pollutants into surface water and groundwater.

A farm pond or recreational pond can serve many purposes. This publication reviews planning considerations and management recommendations relating to a number of potential uses for small ponds in Louisiana.

Importance of Soil Fertility, Method for Proper Soil Sampling, Interpreting Soil Tests, Adjusting pH, Available Forms of Lime, Available Forms of Sulphur, Applying Fertilizer and Examples of Applications included.

Jefferson Davis Parish Master Farmer Participants

The America’s Wetland Conservation Corps is leading a team to help pick up litter as part of the Lake Pontchartrain Beach Sweep.

Get involved and volunteer to help the America's Wetland Conservation Corps create wetland habitat in Lafitte, Louisiana, on September 8th.

Assumption Parish Master Farmer Participants

Iberia Parish Master Farmer Participants

St. Mary Parish Master Farmer Participants

Lafayette Parish Master Farmer Participants

DeSoto Parish Master Farmer Participants

Master Farmer Program Participant List: Lafourche Parish

Louisiana’s coastal wetland forests are of tremendous economic, ecological, cultural and recreational value. But many acres of these forests have disappeared over the past century, and many more are being degraded or lost each year.

AWCC members participated in a restoration planting event at Rockefeller Refuge on May 18th. The members planted a half mile stretch of canal bank with Spartina Alterniflora to help stabalize the bank and minimize erosion.

Cameron Parish Master Farmer Participants

AWCC members attended wetland training at Rockefeller Refuge from May 16 to 18th, 2007.

Winn Parish Master Farmer Participants

Sabine Parish Master Farmer Participants

Natchitoches Parish Master Farmer Participants

Grant Parish Master Farmer Participants

America's Wetland Conservation Corps members will be assisting at Camp Azzie, a camp for children with asthma. The camp runs from July 15 to July 19, 2007.

Washington Parish Master Farmer Participants

Tangipahoa Parish Master Farmer Participants

Calcasieu Parish Master Farmer Participants

West Baton Rouge Parish Master Farmer Participants

Catahoula Parish Master Farmer Participants

Madison Parish Master Farmer Participants

Red River Parish Master Farmer Participants

St. Martin Parish Master Farmer Participants

Union Parish Master Farmer Participants

Caddo Parish Master Farmer Participants

Beauregard Parish Master Farmer Participants

Allen Parish Master Farmer Participants

Jackson Parish Master Farmer Participants

Bossier Parish Master Farmer Participants

Bienville Parish Master Farmer Participants

Webster Parish Master Farmer Participants

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."

Master farmer participant list for LaSalle Parish.

Ascension Parish Master Farmer Participants

A wire mesh bin is inexpensive and easy to build out of either galvanized chicken wire or hardware cloth. Materials list and instructions are included.

A wooden box bin can be built inexpensively by using wooden pallets. Or you can use lumber to make a nicer bin. Materials list and instructions are included for making a compost box bin.

A wood and wire three-bin turning unit can be used to compost large amounts of yard, garden and kitchen wastes in a short time. Construction requires basic carpentry skills and tools. Materials list and instructions included.

What is compost? Find information on temperature, oxygen and aeration, moisture, odors, nutrients, co-composting and much more!

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.

West Feliciana Parish

Pointe Coupee Parish Master Farmers Participants

Livingston Parish Master Farmer Participants

Iberville Parish Master Farmer Participants

East Feliciana Parish Master Farmer Participants

A description of how biomass is being used for energy in Louisiana with an emphasis on the potential for expansion in the industry. (Revised 11/06)

The selection, planting and care of urban trees in Louisiana. Includes full-page poster of native landscape trees, their leaves, tree height and spread comparisons. 16 pages.

Total the number of times you do each of these activities throughout a week. Then multiply by the number of gallons of water used. You may be amazed, and dismayed, by how much water you waste.

To prevent the depletion of the Sparta Aquifer, it is mandatory that everyone conserve, and not waste, water. These nine tips will help sustain this valuable source of drinking water.

What do red-cockaded woodpeckers and gopher tortoises have in common? They are endangered species, and both require a habitat becoming rare inLouisiana and throughout the southern United States. To thrive, they need open pine forests, known as longleaf pine savannahs.

Lee Memorial Forest with more than 1 ,200 acres of managed timberland is an important research and teaching resource for the LSU AgCenter.

Water quality monitoring efforts in Louisiana’s streams focus on the concentrations of sediment, nutrients and other compounds in the water. However, activities within the watersheds of these streams actually play the most critical role in determining stream water quality.

Since the late 19th century, the global average temperature of the Earth has increased by 0.7 to 1.4 degrees F. The significant global warming has been attributed to human activities such as fossil fuel combustion and land use change, which leadto the increase of the concentrations of greenhouse gases, especially carbon dioxide.

LSU AgCenter scientists have been researching remote sensing work with airborne lasers to develop three-dimensional pictures to measure the stand and take inventory of a forest.

Regional increases in flooding are likely to reduce the productivity of baldcypress-water tupelo swamps in coastal Louisiana. Although these trees are merchantable for lumber production, it will be important to design appropriate management plans for these sites.

LSU AgCenter area forestry agent Barry Crain helps youth develop forestry skills during a special 3-hour training event every year before the state 4-H University competition held on the LSU campus in June.

Forests of Louisiana managed for timber production constitute the state’s top agricultural crop, contributing an estimated $4.554 billion to Louisiana’s economy in 2005. Louisiana’s managed forests, which are often loblolly pine plantations, are among the world’s most productive forests at producing timber and fiber.

Louisiana is blessed with an abundance of forests and waterways. Miles of rivers, bayous and lakes provide Louisiana’s citizens with fishing, hunting, boating and recreational opportunities, which contribute to the state’s wealth and economic growth.

Within a month, hurricanes Katrina and Rita damaged about 4.4 billion board feet (3.0 billion by Katrina and 1.4 billion by Rita) of sawtimber inventory in Louisiana.

Louisiana farmers and foresters could find a silver lining in the cloud of rising fuel prices with the development of new fuels from crops they already grow or could grow.

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.

A lawn that’s properly cared for and healthy will resist weeds and other pest problems. Following the best management practices (BMPs) in this publication should help keep your lawn in good condition. 32-page, full-color guide. Cost: $5 plus tax (free shipping). To order this book, use the Order Publication link below.

Athough it is uncommon in most homes, toxic mold, also known as black mold, has become a major issue for some home builders and homeowners in the United States. The effects have run the gamut from disposal to litigation.

You need to take some precautions during hurricane season if you have a boat moored, docked or stored in a recreational harbor along the Gulf Coast, an LSU AgCenter expert says.

Why be concerned? Too often, we think of ourselves as external to our environment. We ignore the many relationships among people, other living creatures and our surroundings. We ignore these relationships at our own risk. Solutions to environmental problems are far more effective when all life forms are considered part of the ecosystem.

Terrebonne Parish Master Farmer Participants.

Master Farmer Program Participant List: St. James Parish

Master Farmer Participant List: St. Charles Parish

Master Farmer Program Participant List: St. Bernard

Master Farmer Program Participant List: Orleans Parish

Master Farmer Program Participant List: Jefferson Parish

Caldwell Parish Master Farmer Participants

The Louisiana Master Farmer Program is targeted at helping agricultural producers voluntarily address the environmental concerns related to production agriculture, as well as enhancing their production and resource management skills that will be critical for the continued viability of Louisiana agriculture.

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. (PDF Format Only)

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.

Louisiana farmers and forest producers could find a silver lining in the cloud of rising fuel prices – with the development of new fuels from crops they already grow or could grow.

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.

Your new home can be safeguarded by using preservative-treated wood and following an integrated pest management program at the time of construction.

LSU AgCenter coastal resources agent Mark Shirley had hoped to bring a group of students back to a plot near Holly Beach where they had planted marsh grass during the 4-H Marsh Maneuvers program in July. But, after driving for several miles on La. 82 between Holly Beach and Johnson’s Bayou last weekend, Shirley gave up on his hope to find the transplanted grass, which apparently fell victim to Hurricane Rita’s wrath.

Winter is the perfect time to prune trees so they will be healthy and better able to resist storm damage, according to experts with the LSU AgCenter.

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.

(Distributed 05/25/05) What to do with decommissioned, preservative-treated wood has become a burning issue. Well, not burning, actually. That’s one of the methods that can’t be used any longer, according to Dr. Todd Shupe of the LSU AgCenter.

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.