Philip G. Koehler – EDIS Update

Tawny Crazy Ant

As of 2012, tawny crazy ants have invaded 24 counties in Florida, parts of southeast Texas, and other areas of the southeastern U.S. The tawny crazy ant is considered a series pest. This species infests buildings and greenhouses, attacks crops, domestic animals, honeybee hives, displaces native ant species, and disrupts electrical equipment. This 3-page fact sheet covers the tawny crazy ant’s distribution, description, colonies, feeding habits, and pest status and control. Written by S. K. Hill, R. W. Baldwin, R. M. Pereira, and P. G. Koehler, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, October 2013.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in1076

Florida Carpenter Ants

Carpenter ants are in the genus Camponotus, in which up to over 900 species have been described worldwide. They get their common name, “carpenter ant,” because some species excavate nests in wood. Carpenter ants are sometimes called bulldog ants or bull ants. However, not all species in the genus Camponotus are true carpenter ants because some nest in preformed cavities or in soil. This 5-page fact sheet was original published as part of Pests in and around the Florida Home, and was written by R. J. Vazquez, P. G. Koehler, R. M. Pereira, J. Warner, and R. H. Scheffrahn, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, October 2013.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in1075

Urban Pests and Pest Management

The warm southern states provide an ideal environment for a wide variety of pests — and because almost everyone has problems with pests, most urban areas are sprayed with pesticides. 30 to 40 percent of pesticide use is in urban areas, but most pesticide applications are unnecessary and can result in environmental contamination and human exposure to pesticides. This 5-page fact sheet from Pests in and around the Southern Home introduces integrated pest management practices that can help reduce pesticide use in the home. Written by P.G. Koehler, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, October 2013.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in1073

Como hacer una trampa interceptora de chinches de cama de articulos comunes del hogar.

Las chinches de cama se han convertido en un problema de plagas cada vez más común en los Estados Unidos. Se han encontrado en muchos lugares diferentes en donde vive la gente, desde escuelas y restaurantes a consultorios médicos y salas de cine, pero las peores infestaciones son por lo general en lugares donde vive la gente, descansan y duermen como en casas, pisos, apartamentos, hoteles y refugios para desamparados. Las chinches de cama son más comunes en lugares como alrededor de piezas de mobiliario en donde la gente se sienta o acuesta- camas, sillas y sofás. Para descubrir si las chiches están presentes en una habitación o un mueble, el dispositivo llamado trampa interceptora de chinches puede ser útil. Las trampas interceptoras atrapan y recogen las chinches de cama cuando tratan de viajar entre sus huéspedes humanos y sus escondites. Las trampas interceptoras de chinches de cama son fácilmente hechas de artículos del hogar y recipientes de plástico desechables. This 4-page fact sheet was written by Benjamin A. Hottel, Rebecca W. Baldwin, Roberto M. Pereira, and Philip G. Koehler, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, February 2014.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in1026

How to Make a Bed Bug Interceptor Trap out of Common Household Items

Bed bugs have become an increasingly common pest problem throughout the United States. To discover whether bed bugs are present in a room or a piece of furniture, you can make interceptor traps out of commonly found household items and disposable plastic containers. This 5-page fact sheet was written by Benjamin A. Hottel, Rebecca W. Baldwin, Roberto M. Pereira, and Philip G. Koehler, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, January 2014.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in1022

How To Buy Pest Control Services

Pest control, like any kind of business, is a joint venture between the company and the customer. As with many businesses, customers may have difficulty judging whether they have received the most skilled efforts for their money. This 4-page fact sheet should help customers objectively look at the service they are buying to determine its merit. Written by P. G. Koehler, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, July 2013. This fact sheet updates a chapter of SP134: Pests in and around the Florida Home, which is available from the IFAS Extension Bookstore.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/mg237

Pesticide Safety Miniposter: Pest Control Vehicle Safety (ENY2013/IN963)

Do you need to train your employees about vehicle safety while transporting pesticides? This poster introduces safety concepts when transporting pesticides on a vehicle and alerts new pest control technicians to the pest control vehicle regulations of the Florida Department of Agriculture. The poster has quick response (QR) codes linked to short, online videos that take the technicians though six steps of maintaining a safe and legal service vehicle. This poster will serve as a valuable training and refresher tool. Designed by R.W. Baldwin, S.K. Hill, Philip Koehler, P.A. Mitola, and J.C. Medley, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, August 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in963

Pesticide Safety Miniposter: Triple Rinse Steps (ENY2012/IN962)

The Triple Rinse poster acquaints new pest management technicians to proper techniques to clean and dispose of empty pesticide containers. The poster uses quick response (QR) codes that direct smartphones to online videos that demonstrate the triple rinse process and container disposal. This poster will serve as a valuable training tool for new technicians and a refresher tool for pesticide applicators. Designed by R.W. Baldwin, S.K. Hill, Philip Koehler, W. Walker, and J.C. Medley, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, 8. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in962

Pesticide Safety Miniposter: Pesticide Spill Control (ENY2011/IN961)

This poster acquaints new pest control technicians with proper procedures to manage an unscheduled pesticide release. The poster has quick response (QR) codes that direct a smartphone to online videos highlighting the steps of cleaning up a pesticide spill site, beginning with controlling the spill and ending with decontamination of the site. This poster will serve as a valuable training tool for new technicians and a refresher tool for pesticide applicators. Designed by R.W. Baldwin, S.K. Hill, Philip Koehler, P.A. Mitola, and J.C. Medley, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, August 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in961

Pesticide Safety Miniposter: Apply the Correct Amount (ENY919/IN959)

Pest managers must know the proper amount of pesticide product to apply. This poster acquaints new pest control technicians with the basic process of following label instructions to properly dilute pesticides, and it walks technicians through two types of basic equipment calibration. The poster has quick response (QR) codes that link smartphones to online videos illustrating each step in applying the correct amount of pesticides. Designed by R.W. Baldwin, S.K. Hill, Philip Koehler, W. Walker, and J.C. Medley, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, August 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in959

Pesticide Safety Miniposter: Protecting Yourself (ENY2010/IN960)

To properly apply pesticides, a technician must be aware of the personal protective equipment, or PPE, required for the application. This poster introduces new pest control technicians to different types of PPE they may be required to wear during a pesticide application or pest management inspection. There is a wide array of examples of PPE on the poster, with quick response (QR) codes that direct smartphones to short, online videos explaining PPE for each area of the body (head, eyes, face, mouth, hands and arms, torso and feet). This poster will serve as a valuable training tool for new technicians and a refresher tool for pest managers. Designed by R.W. Baldwin, S.K. Hill, Philip Koehler, W. Walker, and J.C. Medley, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, August 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in960

Pesticide Safety Miniposter: Labels and Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) (ENY918/IN958)

You have heard the phrase, “the label is the law.” Pest control technicians need to learn the components of a pesticide label and the information they can find on the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS). This poster acquaints new pest control technicians with the information they will find on pesticide labels and on MSDSs. The poster has quick response (QR) codes that direct smartphones to short, online videos explaining how to read pesticide labels and MSDSs. Designed by R.W. Baldwin, S.K. Hill, Philip Koehler, P.A. Mitola, and J.C. Medley, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, August 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in958

Pesticide Safety Miniposter: Daily Personal Care (ENY917/IN956)

Anyone applying pesticides should be aware of the importance of preventing pesticide exposure to themselves, their families, and their pets by following a few personal care procedures each day. The information and video links (QR codes) on the Daily Personal Care poster provide technicians with examples of areas that are commonly contaminated by pesticides. The poster explains methods for the decontamination of vehicles, application equipment, personal items like cell phones, and clothing. Designed by R.W. Baldwin, S.K. Hill, Philip Koehler, W. Walker, and J.C. Medley, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, August 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in956

Pesticide Safety Miniposter: Pesticide Formulations (ENY915/IN955)

Do you need a quick training reference to common pesticide formulations? This poster introduces new pest control technicians to pesticide product formulations. The poster has quick response (QR) codes that link to videos showing example formulations of liquid pesticides, baits, pressurized aerosols, and a variety of dry product pesticides. Technicians need to be familiar with the products and formulations they are using, so this poster and its videos will be a useful training tool for pest management companies. Designed by R.W. Baldwin, S.K. Hill, Philip Koehler, P.A. Mitola, and J.C. Medley, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, August 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in955

Pesticide Safety Miniposter: Pesticide Emergencies (ENY916/IN954)

This poster introduces new pest control technicians to the general actions to be taken in the event of pesticide exposure. Technicians learn to recognize symptoms of exposure as they watch videos linked to the quick response (QR) codes on the poster. The videos detail general first aid steps to undertake until medical help arrives after a pesticide exposure. Designed by R.W. Baldwin, S.K. Hill, Philip Koehler, W. Walker, and J.C. Medley, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, August 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in954

¿Qué te está picando? (ENY2015S/IN927)

Pulgas, piojos, chinches, o garrapatas? Ponle atención a tu insecto para que sepas lo que es. This poster was written by E. E. Harlow, C. A. McNeill, R. W. Baldwin, R. M. Pereira, P. G. Koehler, and J. C. Medley, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, April 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in927

What Is Biting You? (ENY2015/IN926)

Why are you itchy? Identify the problem pest with this handy poster written by E. E. Harlow, C. A. McNeill, R. W. Baldwin, R. M. Pereira, P. G. Koehler, and J. C. Medley, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, April 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in926

IPM:Beyond Spraying (ENY2016/IN928)

Integrated Pest Management, or IPM, is more than just spraying. Follow the five IPM steps to outsmart pests. This poster was written by R.W. Baldwin, S.K. Larrick, Philip Koehler, P.A. Mitola, and J.C. Medley, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, September 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in928

External Parasites on Beef Cattle (ENY274/IG130)

External parasites such as lice, flies, ticks, cattle grubs and mites are a serious problem to livestock breeders. These pests are most prevalent during spring and summer months; however, Florida's warm climate permits many pests to live year-round.
This revised 13-page fact sheet was written by P. E. Kaufman, P. G. Koehler and J. F. Butler, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, April 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ig130

ENY856/IN825 Managing Pestiferous Freshwater Aquatic Midge Emergences From Storm Water Retention Ponds

ENY-856, a 3-page fact sheet by Kenneth T. Gioeli, Philip G. Koehler, R. Leroy Creswell, Jeffrey P. Gellermann, and Edward A. Skvarch, describes a recently developed integrated pest management plan for these tiny mosquito-like pests that can adversely impact the quality of life of residents living near storm water retention ponds. Includes references. Published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, October 2009.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/IN825