A couple of days ago, I did a little scouting of trees to see if I could find newly hatched bagworms. Sure enough, they are out! You have to look close in order to see them because they are still small – about a ¼ inch in size.

Bagworms are a yearly pest in our area and can cause considerable damage. Most homeowners typically don’t get too concerned about bagworm control until they see large bags present on plants. By then it is too late and the damage is already done! The window of opportunity for optimum control is approaching.

 

Bagworms overwinter as eggs deposited in the female bags. From mid-May through mid-June, larvae hatch from the eggs and exit from the bottom opening of the old bag. Larvae begin constructing their miniature silk-lined bags immediately. Only after the bags have been completed do the larvae begin actual feeding activities. And as the larvae grow, so do their bags. By mid-to late August when feeding activities are complete, larvae firmly anchor their bags to the twigs and branches on which they were feeding.

 

Bagworms are most commonly found on eastern red cedar and junipers. However, bagworms can attack arborvitae, spruce and pine. Broadleaf trees, shrubs and ornamentals can also serve as a host to bagworms. After bagworms have defoliated a host plant, they are capable of migrating in search of additional food sources. They may attack the same species from which they came or a completely different species.

 

The damage caused by bagworm feeding can be minimal to severe. As larvae enter their later development stages, they require greater amounts of food. Sometimes in what seems to be just overnight, bagworms can completely defoliate a tree. Several successive years of heavy foliar feeding can result in the death a tree, especially with conifers.

 

There are two ways to control bagworms – cultural and chemical. Cultural practice is used by those who do not want to utilize insecticidal sprays to control bagworms.  Instead, bagworms are eliminated by handpicking individual bags from plants. This is best done in the winter months when bags stand out against a trees background color.  Keep in mind that a single missed bag could result in a thousand new bagworm larvae. Of course, handpicking becomes impractical when a host is literally covered with bags or it is too tall to make handpicking possible.

 

Chemical control is most effective when larvae are in their early developmental stages. Generally, bagworm larvae will begin emerging from the overwintering bag by mid-to late May. Hatching does not happen overnight. Instead, hatching can continue for 4 to 5 weeks. Controls applied in late summer are often a waste of time and expense because the larvae are large, tough and may have stopped feeding. About the third week of June is the ideal time to make insecticidal control.

 

Insecticides commonly used to control bagworms include spinosad, acephate, cyfluthrin, or permethrin. These are sold under a variety of trade names. Check the product label for active ingredients.

 

For more information on bagworm control, please contact me at one of our Southwind Extension District office locations.

 

Krista Harding is a K-State Research and Extension Horticulture agent assigned to Southwind District.  She may be reached at [email protected] or 620-244-3826.

 

K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

 

 

We had a vibrant and engaged group of individuals at our annual Aging with Attitude Expo in April.  After witnessing this group, it is only fitting that the theme for the 60^th Older American Month (OAM) is Aging Unbound!

 

Led by the Administration for Community Living (ACL) each May, OAM provides resources to help older Americans stay healthy and independent, and resources to help communities support and celebrate their diversity.

 

This year’s theme, Aging Unbound, offers an opportunity to explore a wide range of aging experiences and to promote the importance of enjoying independence and fulfillment by paving our own paths as we age.  Here are some ways we can all participate in Aging Unbound:

 

• Embrace the opportunity to change. Find a new passion, go on an adventure, and push boundaries by not letting age define your limits. Invite creativity and purpose into your life by trying new activities in your community to bring in more growth, joy, and energy.
• Explore the rewards of growing older. With age comes knowledge, which provides insight and confidence to understand and experience the world more deeply. Continue to grow that knowledge through reading, listening, classes, and creative activities.
• Stay engaged in your community. Everyone benefits when everyone is connected and involved. Stay active by volunteering, working, mentoring, participating in social clubs, and taking part in activities at your local senior center or elsewhere in the community.
• Form relationships. As an essential ingredient of well-being, relationships can enhance your quality of life by introducing new ideas and unique perspectives. Invest time with people to discover deeper connections with family, friends, and community members.

 

Everyone is getting older, so let’s celebrate each day and challenge the aging narrative together!  Find out more ways to do good in your community here https://bit.ly/436EPAq.  For more information, contact Tara Solomon-Smith, [email protected], or by calling 620-244-3826.

 

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Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service

K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director of K-State Research and Extension, Kansas State University, County Extension Councils, Extension Districts.

Leaves of three – let it be! I’m certain that someone has told you this before in an attempt to keep you away from poison ivy. It is true that poison ivy has three leaflets.  However, the untrained eye can easily confuse poison ivy with other plant species such as Virginia creeper.

 

Poison ivy occurs in three forms: an erect woody shrub, a groundcover that creeps along the ground, and a woody vine that will climb trees. It can grow to 10 feet or more as it climbs up trees or fences. All parts of poison ivy – leaves, sap, roots, and burning vines, are poisonous at all times of the year. All of these plant parts contain a toxic oil which causes irritation to the skin on many people. The typical reaction is an itchy rash with clear blisters about 2-3 days after contact with the oil.

 

As stated earlier, poison ivy always has three leaflets. But the leaf margins can vary.  They can be toothed, incised, lobed or smooth. The size of the leaf can also vary. The middle leaflet is larger than the other two and the middle one is the only leaflet with a long stalk. The other two are closely attached to the leaf stem. Virginia creeper has the same habitat as poison ivy and is often confused as being such. However, if you look close, Virginia creeper has five leaflets rather than three.

 

Have you ever gotten poison ivy, but swear that you didn’t touch it? Yes, it can happen. Poison ivy can be spread to you from your pet’s fur after they have ventured out to an infested area; from touching the clothing of a person who has come in contact with it; from garden tools that may have been used to pull down or chop vines; and even by the smoke from a burning vine. Burning poison ivy will cause the toxic oil to vaporize and be carried in the smoke. Believe it or not, the oil from poison ivy can remain active on clothing and footwear for as long as a year.

 

Poison ivy is not the easiest plant to kill. It is a tough plant and difficult to eradicate without killing desirable plants in the process. There are three methods used to destroy poison ivy – pulling the plants out by hand, cutting the plant off at the vine and treating the stump, or spraying the plant directly. The first two methods are more risky as far as infecting yourself with poison ivy.

 

The method used depends somewhat on the growth form the plant has taken. If it is in the groundcover form, direct spray or hand pulling is often used. If the plant is in the shrub form, direct spray is routinely used. For plants that are a woody vine and climbing, the preferred method is to cut the plant off at the base and treat the sprouts after they emerge. With any method, make certain to wear gloves and preferable a long sleeve shirt. Wash clothing and your skin immediately after you have finished.

 

Several herbicide products are labeled as “Poison Ivy Killers.” The products are premixed, ready-to-use products containing the active ingredient triclopyr. Products containing Glyphosate and 2, 4-D offer fair to good control. Once a treatment is made, wait 3 to 4 weeks for the product to work before applying any additional herbicide. Read label directions and follow with care as these chemicals cannot differentiate between poison ivy and other plants – meaning you might accidentally kill desirable plant species while trying to kill poison ivy!

 

Krista Harding is a K-State Research and Extension Horticulture agent assigned to Southwind District.  She may be reached at [email protected] or 620-244-3826.

 

K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

 

 

 

 

 

By Clara Wicoff

Southwind Extension District

 

May is Mental Health Awareness Month! According to the Mental Health America (MHA) report entitled “The State of Mental Health in America 2023,” Kansas is ranked last out of all fifty states and the District of Columbia on how well the state handles mental health needs. This is one of the shocking statistics that sheds light on the state of mental health in our state and why the K-State Research and Extension Stress and Resiliency Team is encouraging others to be proactive in honoring Mental Health Awareness Month.

 

What could being proactive this month look like? To start, you can check out the resources available from MHA. On their website, they offer two specific worksheet resources with steps you can take to make changes to improve your mental health by:

• Shaping your environment. Your home environment can affect your mental health. Take time to think about what you like and dislike about your space. What can you do to improve it? Some suggestions from MHA include starting small, getting rid of unneeded items, personalizing your space, and making your bedroom sleep-friendly.
• Opening your mind to the outdoors. According to MHA, “spending time in nature is linked to many positive mental health outcomes, including improved focus, lower stress, and better mood.”

 

These resources (as well as others) can be found online at www.mhanational.org/may. They also offer a free mental health test which can be taken online at www.mhascreening.org.

 

This article was adapted from an article originally written by the K-State Research and Extension Stress and Resiliency Team. For more information, please contact me at [email protected] or 620-365-2242. If you or someone you know is in crisis or seeking emotional support, call or text 988 to connect with the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. You can also chat with them online at 988lifeline.org. You can also text HOME to 741741 to reach a volunteer Crisis Counselor with the Crisis Text Line.

 

Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service

K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

 

According to a study by Rawhide Youth Services, teens spend 9 hours each day consuming some form of digital content. Furthermore, parents know their children are online, but are unaware of what they have access to and how much of their time is tied to it. On average, parents guessed 3 hours.

The rapid generation of new and trendy apps, games, and websites can make it hard to keep up with all the things kids have access to. Children often don’t understand the dangers of the online world and the consequences of certain actions. They need adult help to navigate it with them.

But where do I start? This might be what you’re asking yourself if you have never approached the subject before. Establish guidelines with your kids on what sites and apps they are allowed to use and talk through why certain ones are off limits. Setting guidelines that both parent and child feel comfortable with and understand is critical to establishing healthy boundaries. You can also create electronic-free times and spaces in your home. Examples could include at the dinner table to help encourage family conversations or in bedrooms after a certain bedtime to ensure quality sleep.

Although kids might not like it, parents should also monitor online activity by regularly checking devices like computers, tablets, and phones. To help your child understand this seemingly overstepping action, talk through why it is important to keep them safe as opposed to control them. The goal here is to create open, honest conversations with your kids to help them understand the potential risks of online activity.

Kids love when parents take an interest in the things that they do. Before your child is allowed to download a new app or game, download it together and go through it with your child to see how they intend to use it and what content they are exposed to. There might be some apps that sound kid-friendly but really aren’t.

If you want to learn more about how to protect your child from online dangers, join Cassidy Lutz for What the Tech?! Phone Safety for Parents. This program will be offered in Yates Center on May 22^nd, Iola on May 24^th, Fort Scott on May 31^st, and Chanute on June 5^th. There is no fee to attend. Call the office at 620-625-8620 or email [email protected] to register.

 

May is mental health month and there are some great events coming up to assist self-care.  While it may not be an obvious part of your self-care action plan, it’s the perfect time to reflect on how we are doing in setting boundaries with relationships, work, and even social media.

Not always an easy task, think of setting boundaries as a way to practice self-care, gain self-respect, and to honor your closest relationships.  Here are some simple ways to get started.

• Recognize your feelings/wants/needs and write them down.Take some time to identify your feelings as they come and what causes your reaction.  What specifically causes you stress or frustration?

You might try a boundary circle exercise in which you write down inside a circle the things you need to be supported and what you want in relationships.  Place items that distract from this on the outside.

• Recognize what boundaries need to be set. Once the above is identified, you can work to resolve any issues by setting a boundary.  Set your limits and stick to them.  For example, if answering work items in the evening is interfering with family time, let your co-workers know you will be responding to items between 8am-6pm, Monday through Friday.
• Make boundaries clearly known.Kindly, honestly, and directly let others know your boundaries so they may be respected and understood.  Assertive language can help by not allowing room for debate and not blaming who you are communicating with. Use “I” statements, active listening, and eye contact for a more positive interaction.
• Practice and take care of you. Fear and guilt are natural feelings and barriers to boundaries.  Learning to say ‘no’ at times will be challenging. Practice with a safe friend.  Remember that working on your boundaries can lead to a healthier, happier lifestyle and is not a selfish attitude.

Today’s article was adapted from Michigan State University Extension’s Tips for Setting Boundaries, and University of Arkansas Research and Extension’s Boundary Setting Worksheet.

For more information, contact Tara Solomon-Smith, [email protected], or by calling 620-244-3826.

 

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Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service

K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director of K-State Research and Extension, Kansas State University, County Extension Councils, Extension Districts.

 

As soil temperatures have heated up throughout April, producers in the Southwind District have been hard at work planting corn and early soybeans. This past week, we experienced unusually cold, and even freezing temperatures, leaving producers wondering how this could affect any planted corn and beans.

Corn

Cold temperatures can result in injury to the germinating seed as it is absorbing moisture – a problem called imbibitional chilling injury. Germinating seeds can be damaged when soil temperatures remain at or below 50 degrees F after planting.

Soil temperatures at the 4-inch depth during the first 24-72 hours after planting are critical. It is during this window that the kernels imbibe water and begin the germination process. Kernels naturally swell when hydrating – taking in water. If the cell tissues of the kernel are too cold, they become less elastic and may rupture during the swelling process, resulting in “leaky” cells. Injury symptoms may include swollen kernels that fail to germinate or aborted growth of the radicle and/or coleoptile after germination has begun.

Chilling injury can also occur following germination as the seedlings enter the emergence process. Chilling injury to seedlings can result in:

• Reduced plant metabolism and vigor, potentially causing stunting or death of the seminal roots
• Deformed elongation (“corkscrewing”) of the mesocotyl
• Leaf burn
• Delayed or complete failure of emergence, often leafing out underground

Chilled seedlings may also be more sensitive to herbicides and seedling blights.

Soybeans

For this crop, a similar impact could be expected but depending on the planting time and overall plant growth. The most susceptible stage is as the plants are emerging (recently planted). The most typical sign of the impact of freezing temperatures on soybeans can be visualized in the stem and mainly with the yellowing of the cotyledons. If soybeans were advanced in growth, with unifoliate, then the overall impact of a freeze on the cotyledons will be very minor, with most likely no yield loss. If there is a large impact on cotyledons (without having unifoliate leaves unfolded), then there is a lower chance for those soybeans plants to survive.

For some of the fields scouted in the last days, most of the damage is cosmetic and even when some yellowing was present in cotyledons, this effect is minor and most likely will not produce any impact on yields.

Producers should consider all these factors when deciding on the planting time. Before making any decisions, fields should be scouted 4-7 days after the cold occurred as the extent of the damage and potential for new growth will be evident during this time.

If you suspect your crop may be showing symptoms of freeze injuries, it is important to contact your insurance agent prior to making any management decisions. For more information on freeze damaged crops, contact Chad Guthrie, crop production and forage management agent, at any Southwind Extension District office.

 

 

K-State researchers are looking for respondents to a brief survey (less than 10 minutes) to help understand the need for access to quality, affordable child care in Bourbon County. If you are looking for care, have care, provide child care, or are simply a resident of Bourbon County, we want to hear from you!  To participate, simply go to https://bit.ly/BBCOkids!  For questions about the survey, please contact Holly Connell at [email protected] / 319-538-4761.  For questions about the child care coalition in your county, please contact Rachel Carpenter at [email protected] / 620-215-2562

 

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Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service

K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director of K-State Research and Extension, Kansas State University, County Extension Councils, Extension Districts.

 

 

By Clara Wicoff

Southwind Extension District

 

April is Stress Awareness Month! Did you know that stress can affect your physical health? According to the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, chronic stress can lead to a risk of health problems such as digestive issues, elevated blood pressure, headaches, insomnia, and more.

 

So, what can you do to combat stress throughout the rest of April and beyond? One practice you can consider adopting is mindfulness. What exactly is this? Mindfulness expert Jon Kabat-Zinn defines the term as “awareness, cultivated by paying attention in a sustained and particular way: on purpose, in the present moment, and non-judgmentally.”

 

While this should not be considered a “cure-all,” research suggests that practicing mindfulness can reduce chronic stress. Consider starting simply by committing to an uninterrupted time each day to focus on your breathing and practice a mindful meditation. This is a busy time of year for many people, so know that you can start by doing this for as little as five minutes (although you may benefit from increasing the time to 20 minutes or longer). Once you’ve committed to this time, find a quiet place away from technology. Find a comfortable position, either sitting or lying down. Then, focus on your breathing and let negative thoughts float away like clouds. There are resources online which can help lead you through a guided mindful meditation if desired.

 

For more information, please contact me at [email protected] or 620-365-2242. If you or someone you know needs immediate assistance, contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988 or chatting online at 988lifeline.org.

 

Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service

K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.