USU Extension

This month's topic is grasshoppers. The challenge with grasshopper control around the home garden is that by the time you see the large grasshoppers causing problems on your plants, it's almost too late to do much that year. So, let's talk about some of the options.

As Utah continues to grow, humans and wildlife will compete more and more for space and the number of interactions between humans and wildlife will increase. With outdoor recreation also becoming more popular, more citizens are concerned about how to be safe in areas shared by humans and wildlife.

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Kailey Foster: Starting a new family dynamic can be difficult and introducing new stepparents is no exception. Sydney Gurney with USU Extension Healthy Living Utah teaches a course that focuses on stepfamily relations. She joins us today to talk about some of the challenges these families face thanks for joining me again.

All wasps can sting, right? Well, not exactly. While we tend to group them all into the stinging insect category, paper wasps, yellowjackets and aerial yellowjackets (hornets) do most of the stinging. These wasps are in a single-insect family (Vespidae) with ovipositors or egg-laying organs modified into stingers.

If you have spotted bats near your home or nearby structures, you are not alone. Bats are migratory and may take up residence in chimneys, structures and homes when they can find an opening. Once inside, they may form a nursery colony where they raise their young. About this time of the year, the young will take flight, and the increased activity may result in a noticeable number of droppings.

Even rain couldn’t stop volunteers from coming to Pack It Out Utah, a statewide effort to clean up as much trash as possible. This event will last through September 19th and includes any effort people make to pick up trash along trails, streets, or just by their homes.

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USU Water Quality Extension is leading Pack It Out Utah this month. This is a statewide trail and waterway cleanup that partners local governments, nonprofits, organizations, and volunteers across Utah. Joining me today is Hope Braithwaite, a USU, extension assistant professor for watershed quality.

Farmers markets have been in full swing for a few months and USU Extension’s Teresa Hunsaker is here to share with us some recipies to cook with your fresh veggies. 

Many parts of the state have recently experienced flooding. It is important to properly clean and sanitize wet and muddy household furnishings, carpets, clothing and surfaces as quickly as possible to avoid damage and contamination. Consider these tips from the American Cleaning Institute (ACI) for cleanup.

Recently, the US Economic Development Administration announced that Utah State University's Remote Online Initiative program is receiving a $1.1 million Care Act Recovery Assistance Grant, as well as other recognitions. Joining me today is Paul Hill, the director of the Remote Online Initiative, to talk about these recognitions and more.

In 2020, a colony of bats made an unscheduled appearance at an NBA basketball game.  Bats descended from the rafters of Dallas Mavericks stadium and flittered above and among an unsuspecting crowd and players. Officials suspended game and tried to net and remove the animals. 

While many people know and understand basic freezing and dehydrating methods for preserving foods, it becomes a different story when they contemplate bottling.

I have observed and seen reports from many locations in northern Utah of fruit and nut trees dying back in the shoot tips. The ends of branches in the tops of trees are dead, while shoots lower on the tree grow normally. Some young trees have been killed outright. What conditions brought about this injury?

Prepare yourself for a bit more heat in July and August, which are often Utah's hottest months. My garden made it through June quite well, and I had to do some extra hand watering to supplement the more programmed watering schedule I use.

The heat is on, and yards and gardens are trying to keep up with high temperatures and drought conditions. Consider these tips from the USU Extension Gardeners Almanac to help your garden succeed this month. Also included are links for further information.

Recently, when talking with Lacee Hemendez, she introduced the Buy Produce for Your Neighbor program that is at some farmers' markets around Utah. Joining me today is Kayla Lane, Weber County Create Better Health Ambassador, to talk more about this program.