Contact(s): Allen Knutson, 972-952-9222, aknutson@ag.tamu.edu DALLAS – Texas Cooperative Extension agents often refer to their compact discs on insects when they help people deal with pests on farms, ranches or around homes.
Now the CD is available to the public.
“The Insect Pest Management CD should have broad appeal as it covers pests in homes and gardens, ornamental and fruit trees and those on farms and in other rural areas,” said Dr. Allen Knutson, an Extension entomologist in Dallas. “For only eight bucks you can’t beat it.”
The Insect Pest Management CD contains more than 150 publications on identifying and controlling pests, said Knutson, who compiled the information. It includes text on thousands of species, as well as color photographs, illustrations, maps and graphs.
Updated annually, the CD was first produced three years ago, Knutson said. They have been useful to Extension employees in every county.
The CD contains information on termites, roaches, spiders and other pests around the home. It has the latest information on controlling fire ants and mosquitoes. It includes 26 publications on stinging and biting insects. Links to Texas A&M entomology department Web sites are also included.
For farmers and other residents of rural areas, there are specifics on managing pests that affect row crops, livestock, trees and other plants and animals.
In addition to insects, the CD covers other potential pests such as snakes and wild fowl.
“These illustrated publications are organized in a series of easy-to-use menus,” Knutson said. “A search option makes it easy to find information.”
The publications are organized in an Adobe Acrobat format, which is included on the CD.
The CD’s detailed publications vary in length. A one-page piece, for example, covers flea control. A 44-page guide discusses 300 species of ants.
“Only 20 or so ant species in Texas are considered pests, and of these, only a few are serious pest,” according to the ant publication. “The rest of the ant species are beneficial.”
Most of the publications were researched and written by Extension entomologists and specialists in integrated pest management. Some were prepared by entomologists from other universities.
The CD can be ordered through the Texas Cooperative Extension Bookstore. Select “insects” from the menu and scroll down to item “SP-198 Insect Pest Management CD,” and click to add to cart. The $8 cost includes postage.
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