Now Is A Good Time to Evaluate Fire Ant Activity

If you want to know if you still have fire ants after a summer of treatments, just let it rain and the mounds will be obvious. I am willing to bet that those who treated during the summer months with broadcast applications of the slow-acting baits (Amdro, Extinguish, Distance, Award , and others) will probably have less problems going into the winter months than those who depended solely on the fast-acting quick kill products. Those treating with Over’N’Out (fipronil) may or may not see results yet, but you should in time. This type of product works like a bait but is different, very slow acting and long lasting but should get to the queen like the slow-acting baits. This being the first week with a significant change in temperatures means it is still not too late to get in your last applications of the slow-acting baits. The fipronil products can be applied any time of year but are more expensive. Any of the baits or bait type products should be ones to remember come next spring when overwintering colonies should really be reduced.

Folks with pastures have received fire ant products with a mixed bag of thought. Pastures generally involve several to many acres, therefore running up quite an expense for fire ant control. Couple that with more than one treatment probably required and the expense gets questionable for the larger acreages. There are a limited number of products labeled for pastures to be applied broadcast and that really would be the route to go. Several quick kill products are labeled as mound treatments in pastures, but most folks would not take time to do this and the quick kills will probably not get the queen. Some of the slow-acting baits labeled for broadcast treatment in pastures are Amdro, Amdro Pro, Seige, and Extinguish. The first three contain hydromethylnon active ingredient and each has some specifics to adhere to in pastures.

Extinguish contains methoprene as the active ingredient. This is an IGR, insect growth regulator, and will work slower than the Amdro products; however, mixed with another bait in a ratio of 1:1 you should expect some good results. If using the mixed treatment, you would need to cut the rate of each product accordingly (ex. 3/4 pound Amdro + 3/4 pound Extinguish) to give a total of 1 ½ pounds per acre. Keep in mind, you need to read the labels concerning what livestock can be grazed after treatments. Another alternative would be to apply the Extinguish (IGR product) now and the other bait in the early spring at their normal respective rates. Any applications made now before cooler temperatures should be of benefit. Once cool weather sets in, mound treatments or no treatments at all would be the best choice since the ants would not be foraging enough to pick up the broadcast baits.

Home and Garden Center Still Active at Clemson University

I recently contacted the Home & Garden Center hot line at Clemson to see if I could meander thru the system and get answers to questions. The toll free number is 1-888-656-9988. There are times when homeowners contact Clemson Extension offices and are unable to contact the person who would normally respond to their request. The alternative is to use the 888 number and follow their directions. It works. Information specialists are available to talk with you from 9:00 A until 1:00 P Monday thru Friday, except holidays. Other times you would need to follow directions given when you call the toll free number. Plan to have pencil and paper on hand before you call the number. You will be asked to enter your 5 digit zip code and will be asked to enter your selection from a main menu. Anyone wishing to access the center by email may do so at http://hgic.clemson.edu/. Let us know if you have problems with the access.

Vegetable Meeting Planned Near Lake City

This is your invitation to attend an area-wide vegetable meeting on Tuesday, October 26^th at Cousin Carol’s Barbeque located on Hwy. 341 near Lake City. The meeting starts at 6:30 PM and should conclude at 9:00. The site is ½ mile toward Olanta from the intersection of #341 and #378. Two (2) hours of recertification credit on a private applicator license will be offered. Featured Clemson Extension specialists on the program are: Dr. Richard Hassell, general cole crop production; Dr. Tony Keinath, cole crop disease update; Dr. Powell Smith, cole crop insect update; and Mr. Tony Melton, basic cole crop production. This should be an excellent meeting for both experienced and beginning producers. If you plan to attend, please call your nearest Clemson Extension office.

Wheat “Cheat Sheet” Available

Wheat growers who did not attend one of the two recently held wheat meetings in the area may want to ask Extension offices for the 2004-2005 edition of Dr. Jay Chapin’s wheat “Cheat Sheet”. This publication is a collection of current topics on wheat production in a nutshell for this state. I highly recommend wheat growers get a copy if you do not have one. One of the latest updates in the publication is the herbicide Osprey for control of resistant ryegrass and also for other weeds.

Clemson Extension offers its programs to people of all ages, regardless of race, color, gender, religion, national origin,

disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital or family status and is an equal opportunity employer.