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Dates and locations have been chosen for the 2022 Idaho Pest Expo & Twin Falls Education. BOTH are live events!
December 6-7th at the Galaxy Event Center in Nampa
December 8th at Canyon Crest Event Center, Twin Falls
IPMA President’s Message
Well, we’re almost halfway through 2022 and it still seems like we are barely sqeaking by. With the supply chain still trying to untangle itself and inflated costs on pretty much every aspect of our businesses, it makes you wonder how we made it this far. I’m sure you’ve all figured out by now how important it is to plan way ahead for your business needs. There was a time not so long ago that you could order product and have it within a day or so. In today’s world, we’re all having to plan 4-6 months ahead and get product secured so we have it when we need it. Hopefully as we roll into fall and winter we will see some relaxation on the supply chain constraints and things begin to flow a little better. I guess if any good has come out of this turbulent time, maybe we’re all a little better at planning ahead instead of procrastinating.
Speaking of planning, the IPMA Board of Directors are busy with all the preliminary planning for our annual Pest Expo. We’re all keeping our fingers crossed that we can finally meet up again in person for this outstanding event. The last two conferences have been online and have been very successful but it’s hard to replace all the benefits that come from being in person and face to face with your peers. What a great networking opportunity for us all!
Our Board is also closely following the progress of H.R. Bill 7266 which has been referred to the US House of Representatives Biotechnology, Horticulture and Research sub-committee for review. As some of you may have heard, H.R. 7266 is a bill to amend FIFRA to prohibit local regulation of pesticide use. This is a good thing and unanimously supported by over 160 organizations, just like ours, across the country. It was a bill that was introduced last year by Illinois Representative Rodney Davis in response to another bill introduced in the Senate (S.3283) back in 2021. Senate Bill 3283, as proposed, would take away the EPA’s authority of FIFRA. It would allow for pesticide laws to be developed at city and county levels by individuals that know nothing about the science behind the chemicals and fertilizers that we use on a day to day basis and the safety protocols that are already in place, based on scientific research, to protect the public. If S. 3283 passed, it would also mean that applicator licensing and product registrations could go to the city/county level versus state level where it is now. We could see certain pesticide bans from city to city without any scientific justification. This would be disastrous to our businesses and industry as a whole. We’re very hopeful that the House sub-committee will do their due diligence and recommend the passing of 7266 so we don’t have to deal with these situations again.
Our board is also closely monitoring the developments in certain states regarding the ban of neonicotinoid insecticides. Rhode Island just passed a bill banning the outdoor use of neonics in the state and would also require applicators to be directly supervised, on-site, by certified licensed applicators for indoor applications. Delaware is currently holding hearings on a bill introduced in their state for a ban on outdoor applications and California is in the final stages on passing their own bill banning the neonics. With all of these cases at the forefront, we, as licensed applicators, need to be more cautious as ever on how and when we apply any pesticide and make sure we’re well within the boundaries of the law and label. It only takes one catastrophic event to push this legislation along at an even faster pace with more states jumping on board in the process.
In closing, I’m sure most of you have figured this out but I can’t stress enough how important good communication is with your customers, employees, peers, and vendors especially in tough times like we’re in right now. Staying current on supply chains, new laws, pricing trends, etc. will allow you to make educated decisions ahead of the curve and communicate with confidence the business decisions you make with the people that matter.
I hope you all have a productive summer and can manage to take some time off to slow down, unwind and relax with family and friends. Be Safe!
Message from the President
Pat Sherer
ISDA has a new page on their website dedicated to in person training sessions with exams offered.
Here is the link that has more info and a registration link. Class is free with the exception of $10 for the exam.
This webpage will list future trainings.
https://agri.idaho.gov/main/isda-trainings-events/
The Beebe's
We are sorry to hear of the loss of two individuals that were both long time Operators in Boise and Mountain Home.
Jack (Gene) Beebe Jr. passed away suddenly on June 3rd. He spent many years growing his successful business, PestPro and TurfPro. He was active in the IPMA attending all the conferences and offering to help where he could.
Jack Eugene Beebe Sr. passed away peacefully under the care of his family on June 23rd. He owned Custom Services for 39 years before retiring. Jack Sr. was one of the original members of the Professional Pesticide Applicators of Idaho, now the Idaho Pest Management Association.
Jack Sr. and Jack Jr. spent most weekends togethering tinkering, cheering on the Denver Broncos and enjoying each other's company.
If you would like to contribute an article (or share one that you have read) for this newsletter please submit to abates@idpma.org.
We are always looking for subject matter that interests our readers. Please feel free to send us a topic that you would like to know more about.
This destructive bug has completely devastated ash tree populations all over the Eastern and Midwestern United States. Prior to this discovery, the insect was only thought to have made it as far west as Colorado.
Please see the link to the Oregon News Release here.
Idaho Department of Lands’ Urban and Community Forestry Program and Forest Health Program in collaboration with Idaho State Department of Agriculture, and United State Forest Service have been putting on Preparedness Workshops throughout Idaho.
The goal is to help arborists, professional applicators, city foresters, and parks and recreation officials become more familiar with and to learn how to develop a plan for managing and minimizing the damage that is sure to follow the arrival of this invasive and destructive pest.
It is now time to turn up the volume on the awareness and work together to do everything we can to be prepared.
The Urban and Community Forestry Program Manager is also developing a “Preparedness and Response Plan Template” that will provide cities with a “fill in the blank” document they can use to kickstart a management plan for their own communities.
Here are some details about the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB):
EAB attacks and kills Ash trees (Fraxinus spp.) Preferred hosts in our region:
Green Ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica)
White Ash (Fraxinus americana)
Adult beetles feed on leaves with this initial insignificant damage easily going undetected as symptoms only show in the upper mid canopy
Larvae are the most destructive stage of the pest, feeding in the cambium layer and 1 to 2-year-old xylem (sapwood) just under the bark of trees, forming ‘S’ shaped galleries
Larvae have 10 distinct “bell” shaped segments, and a “flat head”
Upon emerging from the trees, the adults leave a ‘D’ shaped exit hole.
Infested trees can be recognized by a “thinning canopy” with epicormic sprouting (suckers).
Woodpecker damage often accompanies the infestation as the birds flake off bark looking to feed on the larvae
Photos clockwise from upper left:
IDL will host more training workshops to help with awareness across Idaho. Please be watching for more information about upcoming workshops.
Idaho State Department of AgriculturePest Survey and Detection Manager: 208-332-8620 USDA-APHISState Plant Health Director: 208-373-1600 Idaho Department of LandsForest Health Program Manager: 208-666-8668 USDA Forest Service, Forest Health ProtectionBoise Field Office: 208-373-4227
Let’s Get the Straight Facts about Asian Giant Hornet
Asian Giant Hornet (aka the Murder Hornet aka Vespa mandarinia) has been all over the news lately. Many people, suddenly aware of it, believe they have seen one. While not impossible, the odds, at this point in time are very slim. Most AGH reports, once investigated, turn out to be a case of mistaken identity where a native insect that looks somewhat similar to AGH has been confused with the potential pest of concern.
What is it? AGH is one of the largest species of hornets in the world. It is a social wasp (builds a nest containing up to several hundred individuals) and is related to our locally encountered yellowjackets and paper wasps which may behave similarly.
Where is it found? Many are found in Asia, where it is native and a natural part of the ecosystem. It is routinely observed in Japan and Korea, but also lives in parts of China, Russia, Taiwan, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar, Vietnam, Nepal, India and Sri Lanka. Even though though recent attention may lead one to believe many have been encountered in North America, to date only a total of 4 reports have been confirmed – all just last year in 2019: this includes a single specimen in White Rock and one nest (which was destroyed) in Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada (in Sept) and two individual hornets in Blaine, Washington, USA (in Dec).
What does it look like? It is large (1.5-2 inches long). Bright yellow, smooth head with large black eyes. Thorax solid black with two yellow crescents.
What is its typical behavior? Solitary queens hibernate in protected areas throughout the winter. During April/May they come out to feed (usually on carbohydrates like tree sap) and to locate a nest site. They prefer to nest in low mountain foothills and lowland forests usually in abandoned rodent burrows, often associated with rotting pine roots. Nests are underground – if you think you are seeing them in a nest in a tree, on a building, etc. you are not seeing AGH. A queen rears the original batch of workers who, by July take over nest construction, brood-rearing, food collection and colony defense. Foraging is mostly done by individual hornets until late summer/early fall when they begin hunting in “packs” to attack honey bee hives which, once subdued, are a good food source for new AGH queens and males that are being produced. AGH are typically not very aggressive unless they feel threatened. This might occur if you are near the entrance to their nest or near a bee hive they are attacking or have conquered – while they are in their bee-slaughter “frenzy”.
What is the danger associated with AGH? If feeling threatened, they can use their large stinger to administer a powerful venom. The sting is very painful and may cause skin necrosis. Each hornet can sting multiple times and they will work together to fight a perceived enemy. Multiple stings can lead to organ failure. Mass hornet attacks are very rare (even in countries where they are native), but can occur and in extreme cases they can cripple or kill their victims.
What is being done to deal with AGH? Remember that, at this point in time, less than a half dozen AGH reports have ever been confirmed in North America (only 2 in the US). However, most Dept of Ag offices, Extension offices and similar organizations are fielding calls and evaluating photographs and specimens from people who believe they may have encountered AGH to determine whether or not they’ve mistaken a native insect for AGH or uncovered evidence of a potential newly-discovered AGH population. Trapping programs to possibly attract and detect AGH are being set up in some locations where people are concerned and resources for a trapping program are available.
