The year 2012 is shaping-up to be the worst West Nile season in South Dakota since 2007. As of September 12 2012, 144 human cases of West Nile infection with two fatalities have been reported in the state. A map of recorded West Nile cases thus far can be found in a surveillance report published by South Dakota Department of Health.
At SDSU’s diagnostic clinic, we received several samples of various insects with one common question: “Is this a bed bug?” The increased media coverage of bed bug spread across the nation has made an impact: people are more aware of possible bed bug presence in their living spaces. It is thus important to clarify which bug is a bed bug and which ones are not.
Bed bugs are on the prowl nationwide and South Dakota is not exempted. One of the product types available over the counter for homeowners to control bed bugs is aerosol foggers or ‘bug bombs’. This type of product releases a mist of insecticide which fills a room and, when comes to contact, kills bed bugs.
Houseplants are susceptible to a variety of pests. The following article outlines some of the more common household pests, including: spider mites, mealybugs, and scale. We will also discuss strategies for scouting out and managing these pests to avoid prolonged damage to your houseplants.
Gardeners are a dedicated bunch! We really care about our gardens and plants, and we want them to grow well, look great, and in some cases produce a bountiful harvest whether they are vegetables, fruits or herbs. Of course, despite our best efforts, we often have to contend with some critters that are trying their best to work against us so they can survive and multiply. These pesky pests come in all sizes and colors and may have four, six, eight or more legs. And yes, sometimes the worst pests only have two legs, but I want to mention a few six-legged pests that are certainly on our gardening radar, and one in particular that you should be watching for in your garden—the Japanese beetle.
A number of ornamentals are in full bloom, ablaze with colors and, in some cases, buzzing with insects. One such insect that you may have noticed in your lawns is the goldenrod soldier beetle or Pennsylvania leatherwing (Chauliognathus pennsylvanicus).
Growers and home gardeners growing summer squash and Zucchini should be on the lookout for damage by squash vine borer. Squash vine borer is a serious pest of cucurbits commonly attacking squash, Zucchini, winter squash and pumpkins.
The emerald ash borer has been relatively quiet on the western edge of its known distribution with little expansion beyond the eastern Minnesota, Iowa and Missouri borders. However that
changed this past week with the discovery of the insect in the suburbs of Kansas City, Missouri, the farthest west it has been found in North America.
South Dakotans have been noticing trees with webbing appearing on the tips of branches that are filled with small caterpillars. These are the young fall webworm larvae. The yellow-to -brown, tufted, larvae are about 1/3-inch long and actively moving within the nest at this time.
Two types of beetles are increasingly common on vegetable garden this time of the year. Interestingly enough, one is a predator that helps out gardeners getting rid of pestiferous insects while the other is a pest busily munching on the foliage.
Houseplants are susceptible to a variety of pests. The following article outlines some of the more common household pests, including: spider mites, mealybugs, and scale. We will also discuss strategies for scouting out and managing these pests to avoid prolonged damage to your houseplants.
“There are hundreds of very tiny insects in my house. They look like ants but they jump instead of walk. What are those?” This question, or something very similar to it, was among the first questions I received from homeowner this summer.
The animal with evil-looking pincers is an earwig. We have several species of earwigs here in South Dakota and they are quite common to the area. Despite the menacing pincer-like protrusion in the hind end of the insect, earwigs do not directly harm humans.