April Showers Bring May… Snakes
This rhyme has been around for decades suggesting that rain increases during the month of April. In recent years the amount we have received has caused local flooding, and most in Escambia County will remember receiving 26” of rain in 24 hours! These heavy localized...
Springtime is “Just Right” for Using Aquatic Herbicides
Similar to Goldilocks’ porridge, water temperature doesn’t need to be too hot or too cold, it needs to be just right for using aquatic herbicides (70o - 80o F). Here in Florida, these optimum water temperatures occur in the spring. Water temperature largely regulates...
“And then it began to rain”… the April edition of Discovering the Panhandle
As we left the winter months and headed into spring I was expecting a lot of new blooms, new animal tracks, and more live encounters with wildlife... and then the rain began. I do not know if the entire panhandle has been getting what Pensacola has but the rain has...
Alligators Become More Active in the Spring
The American Alligator is an icon in the state of Florida. Viewed on the program “Swamp People” and as the mascot of the University of Florida, most visitors to our state view this animal more on television than in the wild; but they are certainly there. In need of...
“Wanted” Sighting of Horseshoe Crabs!
These curious ancient animals have been roaming the waters of the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico for over 450 million years. Though they appear dangerous they are quite harmless and are actually more closely related to spiders and scorpions than crabs. Horseshoe crabs...
What can you do about a colony of bats in a building?
Bats typically sleep during the day in natural structures such as trees and caves. In areas with few natural roost structures, bats may instead choose to spend their days in buildings. Bats are beneficial because each bat consumes hundreds of insects per night....
Non-Native Freshwater Jellyfish in Florida?
Yes, you read the title correctly, it says freshwater jellyfish in Florida! The first time I encountered these unusual aquatic creatures was while swimming in a small lake in southern Indiana. It turns out these jellyfish, while not very common, have been found in...
Outdoor Adventure is Nearby!
This time of year, many families are looking for ways to entertain their kids during spring break. For those not planning to travel far, our area is full of fun, and often inexpensive, outdoor adventures. As part of a series of field excursions led by Extension Agents...
Spring is Here! Discovering the Panhandle – Barrier Islands – March
What many have been waiting for... spring is here! HAPPY EQUINOX EVERYONE! Today's photoperiod will be 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of darkness - equinox. Many cultures around the world celebrate this and many ancient cultures built great structures...
The Preying Mantis: Friend to Gardeners, but Nightmare to Insects
The last two years have been kind to the insect population in north Florida, and 2015 appears to be continuing the trend. The weather has provided enough rain for those bugs which depend on the generous supply of foliage and the temperatures are returning to an...