DPI Diary

Enlightening friends and followers worldwide with blogs, tweets and posts from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Division of Plant Industry

Save the Guac!

A University of Florida report caused us to emphasize our Save the Guac campaign when it predicted increasing prices for Florida avocados this season. The increase is expected to be short-term. It is the result of the laurel wilt pathogen spread by the invasive redbay ambrosia beetle is killing trees and threatening Florida’s $100 million avocado industry. Florida produces about 12 percent of U.S. avocados, mainly in Miami-Dade County.

Learn how the public feels about endangered and invasive species

Take an hour next week to learn about public perceptions and attitudes about endangered and invasive species at a free University of Florida PIE Center webinar next Tuesday, July 21, at 2 P.M. Registration is easy as PIE!

Apiary update

The Austin Cary Forest was the site of the 2015 Florida Bee research symposium this week. Those who are interested but were unable to attend can gain insight into the proceedings by downloading the Preliminary Abstract Book.

Speaking of bees . . .

We found this story interesting. The Canadian Broadcasting System is doing its bit to help fight a decline in the world bee population by placing hives on the roofs of its broadcast centers in Montreal and Toronto. It’s expected the 20,000 honey bees in each hive will multiply to 50,000 by the end of the summer.

The giant African land snail can grow to be up to eight inches long.

Protecting Consumers

July 15 was Military Consumer Protection Day and Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam reminded us all that more than 1.5 million veterans and more than 65,000 active duty military personnel call Florida home. He offered tips and tools that will help current and former members of the military protect themselves against scams and can actually benefit everyone. In June 2015, the department recovered $250,000 for Florida’s consumers, bringing the total for Fiscal Year 2014/2015 to $5,127,943. Learn more here.

Have fun but heed this BOLO

We wish everyone a great Florida weekend. Have fun, but heed our blog entry and keep your eyes peeled for Giant African Land Snails. Remember, they get more active during the summer. And if you’re traveling internationally, remember: Don’t Pack a Pest!

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