Ask IFAS - Powered by EDIS

Did you know?

Recent & Revised Publications

Variable Rate Irrigation Technology: A Step-by-Step Guide to Field Implementation

Haimanote Bayabil, Niguss Solomon Hailegnaw, and Vivek Sharma

This fact sheet explores variable rate irrigation (VRI) technology and its components and provides specific examples of field-scale applications of VRI technology with step-by-step guidelines for data collection, data interpretation, developing VRI prescription maps, and uploading maps for implementation. Written by Haimanote Bayabil, Niguss Solomon Hailegnaw, and Vivek Sharma, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, February 2025.

Sandbag Disposal: Environmental and Practical Considerations After the Storm

Whitney Elmore, Laura Valencia, Yilin Zhuang, and Angela Lindsey

Sandbags are an essential tool for flood prevention and control and are commonly used by homeowners and commercial owners. However, after a storm has passed and floodwaters have receded, sand from sandbags is often not properly discarded. This article addresses the impacts of improper disposal of sand from sandbags and provides steps for proper disposal. Written by Whitney Elmore, Laura Valencia, Yilin Zhuang, and Angela Lindsey, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, February 2025.

Wildlife of Florida Fact Sheet: Key Largo Woodrat

Brandon McDonald, Marcus Lashley, Michael Cove, and Carolina Baruzzi

This publication is part of the Wildlife of Florida fact sheet series, created to provide the public with a quick and accurate introduction to Florida’s wildlife, including both native and invasive species. We hope these fact sheets inspire you to learn more about one of Florida’s rarest mammals, the Key Largo woodrat, as well as to investigate the other wildlife around your community and understand the amazing biodiversity in the state of Florida.

thumbnail for publication: Native Subterranean Termites: Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar), Reticulitermes virginicus (Banks), Reticulitermes hageni Banks (Insecta: Blattodea: Rhinotermitidae)

Native Subterranean Termites: Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar), Reticulitermes virginicus (Banks), Reticulitermes hageni Banks (Insecta: Blattodea: Rhinotermitidae)

Thomas Chouvenc, Nan-Yao Su and Rudolf H. Scheffrahn

A UF/IFAS numbered Organism ID. Published by Integrated Pest Management

Facts about Wildlife Diseases: Malignant Catarrhal Fever (MCF)

Braxton Sizemore and Juan Manuel Campos Krauer

Malignant catarrhal fever (MCF) is a viral infection of a wide variety of ruminant species and, in rare cases, swine. This publication discusses common clinical signs of MCF as well as prevention and treatment of MCF infection. Written by Braxton Sizemore and Juan Manuel Campos Krauer, and published by the UF College of Veterinary Medicine, UF/IFAS Extension, February 2025.

Low-Maintenance Landscape Plants for South Florida

Cliff G. Martin, Jody Haynes, John McLaughlin, Laura Vasquez, Adrian Hunsberger, and Zachary Brym

This publication was originally developed to help answer requests from participants of the Florida Yards & Neighborhoods program in Miami-Dade County, now Florida Friendly Landscaping TM (FFL), for a list of landscape plants suitable in south Florida and has become a critical reference for the county. The resulting list includes over 330 species of low-maintenance plants. For each species, we provided the common and scientific names, family, size, light preference, salt tolerance, establishment status, invasive status and potential, and other useful characteristics. Written by Cliff G. Martin, Jody Haynes, John McLaughlin, Laura Vasquez, Adrian Hunsberger, and Zachary Brym, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agronomy, revised February 2025.

What is blue carbon?

Alexandra L. Bijak, Ashley R. Smyth, Savanna C. Barry, and Laura K. Reynolds

Vegetated coastal ecosystems, including mangroves, salt marshes, and seagrasses, store large amounts of carbon in plant biomass and underlying sediments, known as blue carbon. There is increasing interest among policymakers and natural resource managers in quantifying and monetizing the carbon stored in blue carbon ecosystems. However, carbon cycling in the marine and coastal environment is complex. This complexity and the logistical issues in accurately measuring blue carbon limit our ability to manage and restore blue carbon ecosystems as nature-based tools for climate change mitigation. This publication provides a general introduction to the processes that affect net carbon storage in blue carbon habitats and addresses implications for natural resource managers interested in quantifying net carbon storage.

Promoting Positive Outcomes in Children Affected by Parental Alcohol Use Disorder

Courtney Pritchard and Victor W. Harris

This publication contains some useful information regarding the variety of risk factors that children exposed to parental Alcohol Use Disorder may face and protective factors that can help to promote positive outcomes and resilience. Written by Courtney Pritchard and Victor W. Harris, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, February 2025.

Florida's Forest Stewardship Program: An Opportunity to Manage Your Land for Now and the Future

Michael G. Andreu, Chris Demers, and Anthony Grossman

Forest stewardship is the wise use and management of resources that maintain and enhance the value of the forest for present and future generations. The goals of the Forest Stewardship Program are to encourage landowners to manage their forests for multiple natural resources, increase public awareness of the importance of Florida's forestlands, and improve cooperation among natural resource agencies and organizations to meet Florida's forest resource conservation and management needs and opportunities.

How to Evaluate Quality of Newly Hatched Chicks

Gary D. Butcher and Iyva Gage

This publication aims to assist poultry owners in recognizing what is normal and abnormal and in evaluating quality when examining chicks. Written by Gary D. Butcher and Iyva Gage, and published by the Veterinary Medicine—Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, UF/IFAS Extension, February 2025.

The Oriental Beetle, Anomala orientalis (Waterhouse 1875) (Insecta: Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae)

Abigail Prohofsky and Adam Dale

This article describes the identification, biology, and ecology of the oriental beetle, Anomala orientalis (Waterhouse). Anomala orientalis is native to eastern Asia and one of several exotic scarab beetle species in the United States commonly known as white grubs during their larval stage. This insect and many of its close relatives are considered frequent pests of turfgrasses throughout the northeastern U.S.

Histosols of South Florida: Past, Present, and Future

Xue Bai, Yuncong Li, Noel Manirakiza, Christine Coffin, and Jehangir H. Bhadha

This factsheet presents a comprehensive overview of Histosols, also known as organic soils, in South Florida, focusing on their distribution, formation, properties, and significance. Histosols cover significant areas in Florida, especially within the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA), and are pivotal in supporting the region's sugarcane production. Their formation is influenced by organic parent materials, the tropical climate, vegetation types, topography, and time, which together shape their unique chemical, physical, and biological properties. Moreover, this publication reviews past developments and anticipates future changes in Histosol classification and management. By revealing the past, present, and future of Histosols in South Florida, this publication can help improve land management in the region and enhance the understanding of Histosols for audiences including agricultural producers, Extension agents, state and local agencies, decision-makers, researchers, and students.

more...

25,000 to 30,000

# of bees needed to survive the winter

A healthy colony consisting of 25,000 to 30,000 bees is an adequate size for overwintering success.

95°F

Proper Temperature for Baby Chicks

Newly hatched chicks need to be maintained at 95°F for the first week of their lives. After the first week, chicks can tolerate temperatures 5°F cooler for each week until they are four weeks old.

14.1%

OJ Inflation

Orange Juice prices experienced high inflation, peaking at 14.1% in January 2023, but the number of active consumers slightly increased.

18,728

Pest Management Jobs

The Florida pest management industry accounted for more than 14% of the industry’s establishments in 2021

65,479

U.S. residents have their identity stolen each day

This publication is based on the insights of individuals who have been through this experience, researched it in depth, and have attempted to break it down into understandable segments.

Welcome to Ask IFAS