New Fertilizer Law Passes - Get Certified

With the new fertilizer law just passing, 100% of fertilizer applicators will need a DACS license and GI Best Management Practices (BMP) certificate by Dec. 31, 2013.

The Extension Service is offering a certification class at Brooker Creek on May 18, 2009. This is your opportunity to earn 4 CEUs and possibly get your BMP certification (you have to pass the exam).

Learn how mowing, pruning, fertiliztion and irrigation can affect the health of plants and their ability to tolerate pests. Troubleshooting of irrigation, proper management of irrigation as well as irrigation requirements and design will be covered. Learn about using integrated pest managment, pesticide selection, storage, handling and disposal. Learn the best management practices to reduce water pollution

Earn 4 pesticide CEUs: 2 core and 2 in one of these categories: O & T, Commercial L & O, Limited L & O, LCLM, or Private Applicator Ag.

FNGLA: 4 CEUs

Class information at this link: http://pinellascounty.org/Environment/pagesHTML/se10pdfs/BMPFlyer2009.pdf

Interesting Entomology Tidbits

We all know that before they can get to the wood, subterranean termites have to move a lot of dirt. Around many structures, "dirt" often means sand. Now you can see how they do it. Dr. Nan-Yao Su and his Ph.D. graduate student Hou-Feng Li posted videos on the Web that show excavating, loading, moving and then depositing sand grains from a number of angles. You can view the videos at http://flrec.ifas.ufl.edu/ent_nem/structural_entomology_su_videos.shtml.

Why do monarch butterflies migrate? Scientists om the University of Massachusetts Medical School uncovered a suite of genes that may be involved in driving the butterflies to migrate towards Mexico for the winter. See http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090330200615.htmfor details.

Eschew the "Me" Generation. Bees and ants really do have the best interests of the colony at heart. See http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090327124423.htm for details.

Termite Sex! It now appears that termite queens do not always have to have sex to reproduce. See http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090326141549.htm for details.

Forget natural materials like wax, plastic and cardboard are the new IN materials for wild bee homes. See http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090328152243.htm for details.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Especially when the eye is on the top or bottom of a butterfly's wing. See http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090401134417.htm for details.

Bug Quote
"Three kinds of blood vessels are arteries, vanes and caterpillars." – answer written on a high school science test.

Ants, Bed Bugs, Termites, Cockroaches And More!

The University of Florida's 14th Annual Southeast Pest Management Conference (SEPMC) is May 3-6, 2009. Detailed information can be found at:
http://entomology.ifas.ufl.edu/sepmc/

Get all the newest research and information about pests and their control.

All your favorite players will be there: Dr. Phil Koehler, Dr. Roberto Pereira, Dr. Laurie Trenholm, Dr. Monica Elliott, Dr. Bob Stamps, and

Dr. Ed Gilman just to name a few.

Registration for all three days $140; daily $60.

Exhibitor spaces are also available.

Aquatic Weed Control Short Course

Desperate for CEUs? Earn up to 20 CEUs! Aquatic, ROW, natural areas, forestry, private applicator, core and more are available. For a listing see: http://www.conference.ifas.ufl.edu/aw/pdfs/CEU09.pdf

Regular Registration Deadline April 17th!

2009 Aquatic Weed Control Short Course - May 4-7, 2009, Coral Springs Marriott, Coral Springs, Florida
www.conference.ifas.ufl.edu/aw

Exams will also be given.

Increase Your Plant Palette

The Floriculture Field Days event (http://www.fngla.org/flori-seminar/gen-info.asp), organized by FNGLA, will be at the Best Western Gateway in Gainesville on May 14. This event highlights new and under utilized herbaceous plants for the Florida landscape and features nationally-recognized expert speakers.

FNGLA is offering a great deal of only $75 pre-registration and $25 for educators and students, so sign up now!

Tell your friends about it. To register, go to https://www.fngla.org/flori-seminar/fsRegistration.asp.