Florida working group takes a big bite out of conehead termites

Posted on May 30, 2018 by rhallberg

An invasive termite in southeastern Florida is losing its grip on the area, thanks to successful eradication efforts by a multi-agency working group.

Sue Alspach, an environmental specialist with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), used funding from a Southern Integrated Pest Management Center IPM Enhancement grant to gather experts from many agencies in Florida to form a working group to deal with the pest. Continue reading →

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APHIS Posts New Pale Cyst Nematode (PCN) Eradication Program Report

Posted on January 29, 2018 by rhallberg

APHIS’ Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) Pale Cyst Nematode (PCN) Eradication Program in Idaho has posted its 2017 fourth quarter report (October 1 – December 31). The report updates program activities and eradication progress, and provides quarterly and aggregate regulatory, survey and laboratory data.

The PCN Eradication Program is a cooperative effort among PPQ, Idaho State Department of Agriculture, and industry stakeholders. The program’s goal is to control PCN spread, and eventually establish Idaho as PCN-free. Continue reading →

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Eradication Program Announces 2017 Plans for Fighting the Asian Longhorned Beetle in New York, Massachusetts, and Ohio

Posted on May 10, 2017 by rhallberg

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), together with the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, and the Ohio Department of Agriculture, is announcing plans for the Asian longhorned beetle (ALB) eradication efforts taking place in 2017.  APHIS and its partners have been making steady progress towards the eradication of this destructive tree pest since its detection in New York in 1996.

“The goal is to eliminate this non-native, tree-killing pest, from the United States,” said Josie Ryan, APHIS’ national operations manager for the Asian Longhorned Beetle Eradication Program.  “We are confident that we can remove the beetle using the strategies we have available to us.” Continue reading →

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New Zealand works towards eradication of invasive species by 2050

Posted on January 20, 2017 by rhallberg

New Zealand is on its way to being invasive species-free, using a combination of traditional and high-tech eradication methods.

The battle started in the 1960s, when residents of an island off New Zealand eradicated rats from the island. Now New Zealand citizens are going after brushtail possums and stoats, along with three species of rat that have invaded the country. The eradication order is a tall one: to be free of invasive predators by 2050. Continue reading →

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Florida plans biocontrol strategy for New World screwworm

Posted on January 13, 2017 by rhallberg

In Southeast Farm Press

Following the announcement that a stray dog in Homestead, Fla., was positive for New World screwworm, the USDA and Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services will release sterile flies Jan. 13 in the Homestead area as a precautionary measure.

Since the 1950s, the Sterile Insect Technique has been used to effectively eradicate screwworm, and it is considered safe for people, animals and the environment. Continue reading →

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USDA News Release: Asian Longhorned Beetle Eradication Program Announces 2016 Plans for Fighting the Beetle in New York, Massachusetts, and Ohio

Posted on March 29, 2016 by rhallberg

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), together with the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, and the Ohio Department of Agriculture today announce plans for the Asian longhorned beetle (ALB) eradication efforts taking place in 2016.  APHIS and its partners have been conducting eradication efforts of this destructive tree pest since its detection in New York in 1996.

“After completing the environmental impact statement process in March, we are confident that we will be able to eliminate the beetle in the three affected states using the strategies we have available to us,” said Robyn Rose, APHIS’ national policy manager for the Asian Longhorned Beetle Eradication Program.  “The goal is still to eradicate this non-native, tree-killing pest.” Continue reading →

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