Neonicotinoids May Be Causing Bee Colony Collapse Disorder

For more information about a recent experiment that points to neonicotinoids as a possible source of this decline see this article  You can also find this and other interesting information on the pest alert website.

Reminder - Become a GI-BMP Instructor May 30

GI-BMP Instructor Training Class
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Where: Pinellas Extension
12520 Ulmerton Road
Largo, FL 33774

Time: 8:15 am to 4:00 pm
Registration Required
To register, please complete the Application Form found here after verifying your eligibility criteria described on the same link, and submit to Alberto Chavez (see contact info below) by no later than Friday, May 25, 2011. If you have already been accepted in the program please register by replying to Alberto Chavez and letting him know that you want to attend this class.

After reviewing the application and determining that you meet the requirements, you will receive an email confirmation and additional class information.

Becoming a certified GI-BMP instructor is a four step process:

1. Attend a GI-BMP class and pass the test with a minimum score of 90%
2. Apply to become an instructor by meeting the eligibility requirements and completing the form
3. Attend the GI-BMP Instructor Training class and pass the test with a minimum score of 75%*
4. Co-train with an experienced instructor

*The next class in the South Region will take place during the third quarter on 2012 in the South East Coast

If you have questions please contact Alberto Chavez at Alberto.Chavez@dep.state.fl.us or 239-417-6310 x222.


Alberto Chavez
GI-BMP Regional Coordinator [South]
Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve
Florida Department of Environmental Protection
300 Tower Road
Naples, FL 34113
239-417 6310 x 222
FAX 239-417 6315

Remember June 1 Fertilizer Ban

May 31 is the last date that you can apply nitrogen or phosphorus fertilizers in Pinellas County. October 1 these fertilizers can be resumed.  


To apply phosphorus any time of year you must have a soil test documenting a deficiency and also have sent this information to the Pinellas County Watershed Division, Attention:  Division Director, 300 South Garden Avenue, Clearwater, FL 33756 prior to the application of phosphorus. 


For more information see the Pinellas County Watershed Division website

New Research Report on Fertilizer Leaching in Turfgrass

To see the paper click on this

Need to find a CEU class?

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FL DACS) Division of Agriculture Environmental Services (AES) offers a searchable database of available and completed CEU classes, earned CEUs, and exam scores.


To search for a CEU class,

• go to http://app1.flaes.org/ceu/

• select Available CEU Class from the menu

• choose Location and Category (you are not required to enter a date to perform a search)

• hit Search.

Please contact the Bureau of Compliance Monitoring at (850) 617-7870 or the Bureau of Entomology and Pest Control at (850) 617-7997 if you have a question about this site.