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A woman applying bug spray to a teenager's arm.

How to Avoid Being Dinner: Preventing Tick and Mosquito Bites

Summer is here, and so are the opportunities to enjoy the long days and warm weather. Ticks and mosquitoes share the outdoors with us, and there are things you can do to prevent bites from both.

Mosquito with darker coloration and mosquito with white band on proboscis.

Know Your West Nile Virus Vectors

In some areas of South Dakota, recent precipitation has led to an increase in mosquito activity. To reduce the chances of contracting West Nile Virus, it is important to understand the behavior of the mosquitos capable of vectoring it.

Small black fly on pale skin.

Monitor Livestock, Pets and Yourself for Eye Gnat Activity

While being outside this week, I noticed a lot of small gnats flying around my legs and really bothering my dogs. I caught a few and identified them as eye gnats. Although this pest is considered a nuisance in most cases, it is capable of transmitting diseases and pathogens.

Teardrop shaped tick with a dark brown body and legs and an elongate white patch behind its head.

Ticks Becoming Active in South Dakota

The arrival of spring in South Dakota means warmer weather and more outdoor activities. However, it also brings an increase in tick activity.

Three canning jars filled with cucumber slices.

Safe Canning Recipes

One of the most common errors in home canning is not using a scientifically tested recipe. Canning a family recipe is risky as it can cause spoilage and foodborne illness.

Butcher helping a customer select meat in a glass cabinet.

Tips for Purchasing and Preparing Turkey, Ham and Prime Rib

From turkey to prime rib, let’s look at some things to consider before you sink your teeth into your next holiday meal.

Young woman applying insect repellant before an evening hike.

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.

Three canning jars filled with cucumber slices.

South Dakota Cottage Home Processing Food Safety

The Cottage Home Processing Food Safety course serves as the approved food safety training for HB1322.

Interior of a licensed commercial kitchen.

South Dakota Licensed Kitchen Process

Interested in selling food products in a retail establishments? Licensed kitchens are the place to start. Learn the steps for building a licensed kitchen in South Dakota along with rules, regulations and guidelines for processing foods in existing licensed kitchens.

three brown eggs

Egg Safety with Holiday Foods

Holiday traditions include making tasty treats from frosted sugar cookies to homemade ice cream. They are all delicious, but hidden bacteria could be lurking in uncooked eggs, so refrain from tasting raw cookie dough or cake batter. Even grade A eggs with clean, uncracked shells can be contaminated with Salmonella Enteritidis bacteria.