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Huge Wasps on My Tree! No, Those Still Aren’t Murder Hornets.
Another insect that has been mistaken for the Asian giant hornet (also known by its media-popularized name of ‘murder hornet’) is the horntail wasp. Horntail wasps are wood-boring insects that are harmless to humans, as they do not have venom and cannot sting.
Giant Wasps Are Invading My Yard! No, They Still Aren’t Murder Hornets.
Every year we receive multiple reports of giant wasps that seem to invade yards and gardens. These wasps aren’t the same as the so-called "murder hornets," but are actually cicada killer wasps.
Will Mosquitos Be an Issue During This Summer?
Although it may seem like mosquitos won’t be an issue this year due to drought conditions, it is important to remember that they don’t require large bodies of water to reproduce. Mosquitos can utilize standing bodies of water, small puddles or even stagnant water in containers or old tires.
Enjoying the Outdoors Without Tick and Mosquito Bites
Outdoor activities seem extra inviting this time of year, and many people are already enjoying the long days and warmer temperatures. Ticks and mosquitoes share the outdoors with us, but there are things you can do to prevent bites from both.
West Nile Virus Update: Sept. 17, 2021
The South Dakota Department of Health's latest update indicated that West-Nile-virus-positive mosquitoes were detected in Beadle, Brookings, Brown, Codington, Hand, Hughes, Lincoln and Minnehaha counties in South Dakota.
West Nile Virus Update: Aug. 2, 2021
As of Aug. 2, 2021, the South Dakota Department of Health indicated that West-Nile-virus-positive mosquitoes were detected in Brookings, Codington, Hughes, Lincoln and Brown counties in South Dakota.
First Fall Frost Dates
The first fall frost often marks the end of the growing season, and many garden plants may not survive the freezing temperatures. Learn about some available tools we can use to predict the first fall frost dates around the state.
4-H Bike Rodeo and Safety
Overview document including complete lesson plans for a 4-H Bike Rodeo and Safety program to make youth aware of the importance of riding their bike.
Backyard Biodiversity: Nest boxes for native bees
Many of our native bee species are solitary. In order to ensure that these kinds of bees spend more time in our yards and gardens, it is important to make sure we include places for them to nest.
Fresh May Not Always Be Best
To have a healthy diet all year long, consider all options (fresh, frozen, and canned) when it comes to eating fruits and vegetables.