There has been some controversy surrounding the use of some pesticides and their effect on pollinator health, particularly honey bees. Dr. Tammy Potter, state apiarist, at the Kentucky Department of Agriculture has developed an online tool to facilitate communication among…
Yearly Archives: 2017
On-line Notification System for Applicators to Communicate with Local Beekeepers
Posted in Pesticide Topics
“Wet Feet” of Ornamentals
“Wet feet” is the common term for a condition that affects plant species intolerant of wet growing conditions. This problem occurs when soils become saturated with water, which ultimately causes roots to suffocate. Once root damage occurs, plants decline and…
Posted in Landscape Trees & Shrubs, Ornamentals
Pesticide certification: Who needs it?
There has been some confusion with respect to who is required to have pesticide certification — either private or commercial certification. This article is based on information provided by the Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDA) to clarify this issue. KDA…
Posted in Pesticide Topics
Black Knot
Black knot is a common, often serious, disease of plums and cherries in Kentucky. Trees in both commercial and residential plantings are susceptible to the disease. Black knot results in knotty growths that, over time, encircle limbs and result in…
Posted in Fruit
Tree Chiggers: Oak Leaves with a Bite
Dealing with chiggers is never pleasant but is an expected risk taken when venturing into tall grass during mid- to late summer. Unfortunately, there are other ways to have chigger-like experiences. The oak leaf itch mite can give the same…
Posted in Human Pests
Accidental Invaders
Winter is an inhospitable season for cold-blooded arthropods that survive year-round in Kentucky. Most accomplish this in an innocuous fashion–out-of-sight and out-of-mind. Unfortunately, several species of these “accidental invaders” enter structures seeking shelter from the elements. While they come from…
Posted in Household Pests
Featured Publication
2017 Southeastern U.S. Pest Control Guide for Nursery Crops and Landscape Plantings A cooperative effort of Southern Nursery IPM Working Group members, including UK collaborators, this publication provides up-to-date information about pest management products used for nursery, greenhouse, and landscape…
Posted in Featured Pubs & Videos
Peach Leaf Curl
It is time to implement measures to protect residential and commercial peach trees from peach leaf curl. This disease results in disfigured leaves during spring and summer; twigs and fruit may also become infected. Successful management of peach leaf curl…
Posted in Fruit
Plant Disease Diagnostic Lab Highlights
The following plant disease highlights from the University of Kentucky Plant Disease Diagnostic Laboratories represent recent sample submissions from field crops, fruit, vegetables, and ornamentals. During the month of October, diagnostic samples of agronomic crops have included Fusarium ear rot,…
Posted in Plant Disease Diagnostic Lab
Featured Publication
Holcus Leaf Spot (PPFS-AG-C-06) Holcus leaf spot, a bacterial disease, can be seen sporadically in Kentucky cornfields. It can be challenging to diagnose because damage from certain contact herbicides, such as paraquat, can mimic holcus spot. This new publication describes…
Posted in Featured Pubs & Videos
Featured Publication
Diplodia Ear Rot (PPFS-AG-C-05) Diplodia ear rot of corn can reduce yield and grain quality by damaging kernels, lowering grain test weight, and reducing grain fill. Incidence of affected ears in the field can vary from 1 to 2 percent…
Posted in Featured Pubs & Videos
Greenhouse/High Tunnel Pest Management: Getting Off to a Clean Start
Controlling arthropod pests in greenhouses can be a challenge since these protected environments provide ideal conditions for development of some common plant pests. Additionally, the structure itself excludes natural enemies from attacking these pests, allowing their populations to develop more…
Posted in Greenhouses/High Tunnels
Featured Publications
Fungicide Efficacy for Control of Grain Crop Diseases The following new publications are now available, providing growers with fungicide efficacy information pertinent to grain crop diseases. These ratings were compiled by the North Central Regional Committee on Management of Small…
Posted in Featured Pubs & Videos
2017 Insect Trap Counts
Trap counts for major insect pests are provided by the Kentucky IPM Program. Traps are located at the UK Research and Education Center in western Kentucky and the UK Spindletop Farm in Lexington. Below are trap counts for the current…
Posted in Insect Trap Counts
Our Friends, the Compost Maggot
Several insects thrive in decaying organic matter, so compost bins usually provide all the resources that they need. Maggots are an important part of the nutrient recycling process. Black soldier fly maggots are among the most disturbing of the “decay…
Posted in Landscapes
Kentucky Pest News 