more... > Louisiana Agriculture Magazine > Past Issues > 2007 > Winter 2007 Summer 2007 Spring 2007 Fall 2007  more articles... Taking the Bite Out of Mosquitoes [Image: Culex larvae] Mosquitoes in Louisiana may interfere with enjoyment of the outdoors almost any time of year. Yet, if you understand how mosquitoes live and multiply, you have a better chance of controlling their larval development sites and reducing their numbers. Rapid Response Arthropod Diagnostic Services [Image: Red imported fire ants] The first step in successfully dealing with insect-related problems, whether in urban or agricultural settings, is identifying the organisms. FAST Prevention: Fire Ants in New Orleans Post-Katrina [Image: FAST logo] On Aug. 29, 2005, when Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast, floodwaters from storm surge and breached levees inundated New Orleans and surrounding areas with salt water. The red imported fire ant, a flood-adapted species originally from the Paraguay River flood plain in South America, was suppressed and in some cases eradicated. Many native ant species also were eradicated or their populations suppressed. Communitywide Control of Argentine Ants in Louisiana [Image: Argentine Ant] The Argentine ant is an exotic species brought to New Orleans from South America in the late 1800s. Historically, populations have been high in many areas of Louisiana, and for unknown reasons the populations have been expanding in the past 10 years. Leaf-cutting Ants: Miniature ‘Town’ Builders [Image: a view of the excavation] In western Louisiana from Lake Charles all the way north of Lucky in Bienville Parish, a common site near roads and open areas are “towns” of small crater-shaped soil piles with large red ants busily moving particles of soil. Scientist studies Formosan termites in China [Image: collecting termites] Collecting and studying Formosan subterranean termites from their native China may help entomologists find new ways of combating these invasive pests in the United States. Molecular Genetic Methods Help Unravel Termite Mysteries The Formosan subterranean termite has global economic impact as an urban pest. The nesting and feeding habits of this invasive pest leave many factors of its biology literally hidden in the dark. Unique termite school helps with Louisiana pest control Since 2000, nearly 450 pest control operators and technicians have completed two days of either basic or master training programs on treating for termites and other wood-destroying insects at the Lois Caffey Termite Training Center at the LSU AgCenter in Baton Rouge. Treating Trees: A successful Louisiana program for managing Formosan Subterranean Termites [Image: exit port of a Formosan termite colony in a tree] The invasive Formosan subterranean termite is destructive to Louisiana trees. The insect eats the centers of living trees and builds carton nests inside them. Formosan Subterranean Termite management in the French Quarter [Image: Formosan subterranean termites inside a tree] A federally funded Formosan subterranean termite pilot test in New Orleans’ French Quarter, known as the French Quarter Program, began in 1998. Featuring various treatments to combat the termites, the program is a partnership among the LSU AgCenter, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service, the New Orleans Mosquito and Termite Control Board, the Audubon Nature Institute and area pest control applicators. Click for more information...