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Serving Lutz since 1964 and Pasco since 1981.
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Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

UF/IFAS

Use care in watering — or face fines

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Here’s a friendly reminder from the folks at Hillsborough County Public Utilities: Pay attention to the county’s watering restrictions.

Residents living in unincorporated Hillsborough County are allowed to water their lawns twice a week, and those restrictions are effective throughout the year, according to a Hillsborough County news release.

To help conserve on water, make sure your watering systems have no leaks, that spray patterns are directed properly and that the sprinkler heads are in working order. (Courtesy of Hillsborough County)

The ordinance covers all sources of water, except for reclaimed water.

These are the watering rules:

  • Lawn watering must be done before 8 a.m. or after 6 p.m., and property owners can only water once on the designated days.
  • Addresses ending in 0, 1, 2, or 3 can water their lawns on Mondays and Thursdays.
  • Addresses ending in 4, 5, or 6 can water their lawns on Tuesdays and Fridays.
  • Addresses ending in 7, 8, or 9 can water their lawns Wednesdays and Saturdays.
  • Locations with no addresses, such as common areas, and locations with mixed addresses, such as office complexes, can water their lawns on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Hillsborough County Code Enforcement enforces the county ordinance for year-round watering restrictions.

Violations may result in citations starting at $100.

The release also provides this advice, from the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Science: A rule of thumb is to water the lawn when 30% to 50% of the lawn shows signs that the grass has folding leaf blades, a blue-gray color, or footprints are visible in the grass.

It’s also a good idea to check to make sure that the sprinkler system is working properly and that there are no leaks, broken sprinkler heads or misdirected spray patterns, the release added.

To report properties that are not adhering to watering restrictions, call Code Enforcement at (813) 224-8993.

Learn more online at HCFLGov.net/WaterRestrictions.

For more information on conserving water, visit HCFLGov.net/WaterConservation, or call the Water Conservation Hotline at (813) 663-3295.

Published October 21, 2020

Pasco Extension gets a new home

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Pasco County Extension is operating out of a new building at the Pasco County Fairgrounds.

The organization, which operates under a partnership between the University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences and Pasco County, also has adapted its programming to provide services during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Whitney Elmore enjoys her new office at UF/IFAS Extension Pasco County. She said most programming is being done online now, but things will change once the threat from COVID-19 subsides. (B.C. Manion)

Dr. Whitney Elmore, director of UF/IFAS Pasco County Extension, recently provided a tour of the new office to a reporter from The Laker/Lutz News.

The 6,400-square-foot facility is a massive upgrade from the Extension’s old office. It features a large, open classroom area — with the potential of adding a sliding wall, to convert the space into two rooms. It also has a small kitchenette and several offices.

“It’s a fantastic new opportunity, not only for the team, but for the citizens — to be able to come here and enjoy it —  a very functional space,” Elmore said.

The new office, which opened in June, was about five years in the making.

It was constructed through a $1.1-million state grant combined with $244,000 in funding from Pasco County and $197,000 from the Pasco County Fair Association. The fair association applied for the state grant, which required local matching funds.

“Now, we have this nice, new facility that really meets our needs, and again, is an excellent educational facility,” Elmore said.

Though the doors are open, people aren’t streaming in yet — as Extension takes precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19, following UF/IFAS and Pasco County protocols.

Like other operations throughout Florida, the Extension office closed when Florida went on lockdown.

Then, Extension pivoted.

“We went virtual, quickly. It’s not a surprise, because that’s what Extension is, anywhere — we adjust, we’re flexible, we’re adaptable.

“Honestly, I can’t be prouder of this team. I’m not surprised, but I can’t be prouder of the team.

Receptionist Michelle Jedych loves Pasco County Extension’s new office, at the Pasco County Fairgrounds. She said it provides an inviting venue for people who are coming there to receive services.

“They just, literally, overnight, said, ‘OK, we’re not in person — which has been the standard for 100 years for Extension —  we’re going to make the best of this, we’re going to adjust and we put everything on line.

“So, they just picked up and ran with it,” she said.

Even those who were not particularly comfortable with technology made the switch.

“They knew this is what had to be done. There was not one complaint. There was not one grumble from this team,” Elmore said.

The staff stays focused.

“We are very mission-oriented. We have servant’s hearts. The public needed us in so many ways, and that shifted some, especially with what we call ‘pandemic’ gardening.

“The horticulture questions went through the roof, with people working in our community gardens. Our community gardens employees were considered essential because that’s food systems related and those continued on, not missing a beat.

“We set up dozens of online learning opportunities. We partnered with the Pasco EDC, the Sheriff’s Office, you name it, to offer a wide variety of learning opportunities,” Elmore said.

The efforts received a tremendous response.

“Just our social media engagement went up about 4,000%, in a month,” the Extension services director said.

“We had people from other countries that were tuning in. Definitely, other parts of the state. They learned about us and they also learned about Pasco County,” she said.

Extension and the Pasco Economic Development Council Inc., also work together at a facility, called the One Stop Shop, on Lock Street in Dade City. The facility has a commercial kitchen and Pasco EDC offers programs aimed at helping entrepreneurs to establish businesses, and to help existing businesses thrive.

“We had people wanting to come from Miami to use our commercial space, at our One Stop Shop, because of some of the learning opportunities. It put a spotlight on Pasco County, and not just on Extension,” Elmore said.

Concerns about COVID-19 have caused a significant reduction of in-person classes and events.

“We do have some very small, in-person, teaching events. Those typically revolve around people needing to get a license, a certification, to continue or get new employment,” she said.

The University of Florida UF/IFAS Extension Pasco County now has a new facility at the Pasco County Fairgrounds.

Some changes made to remain safe during COVID-19 will become permanent.

“At the end of the day, it’s been in a lot of ways, very beneficial,” she said.

Online programs are not only safer, they’re more convenient, Elmore said.

Extension has introduced new programming, which Elmore expects to continue on — even after in-person activities pick up.

“It opened up lines of creativity and collaboration, across program areas that we never really explored before, that just make sense now,” Elmore said.

Despite valuable changes that have resulted from COVID-19, there have terrible consequences, too, Elmore said.

“There are tremendous negatives to what has transpired. Economics. Jobs. People getting sick and dying.

“We have experienced that loss in our Extension family. Dorothy Moore, she was one of our master gardeners. She passed away in July, in Dade City.

“That was a hard hit for us. Emotionally, that took a toll,” she said, plus it required Extension staffers who had been in contact with Moore to quarantine for 14 days.

Published October 07, 2020

Hype over Asian hornets threatens innocent insects

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The world was turned on its head when “Jaws” was released in 1975.

The phenomenally successful movie made people wonder: Was it safe to go back in the water?

Concerns over safety, however, led to the millions of shark deaths.

Yellow jackets, another common Florida wasp, also are mistaken for ‘murder hornets.’ Yellow jackets are beneficial. They prey upon insect pests. (Courtesy of Celeste Welty/Ohio State University)

While 1975 could arguably be called “the year of the shark,” this year might be called the year of “the insect.”

Headlines have honed in on giant Asian hornets, also known as “murder hornets,” and that has created confusion — putting innocent insects in harm’s way.

The invasive giant Asian hornet was trapped in the state of Washington in 2019, and it also was captured across the border, in Canada.

This invader is native to Asia and most likely accidentally introduced to the United States, through a shipping container on a cargo ship.

The state of Washington quickly mobilized local beekeepers and state agricultural biologists to track, trap and destroy the hornets effectively leaving Washington state, and the rest of the U.S., murder-hornet free.

Just recently — at the end of August — there were more sightings in the state of Washington, so experimental traps are being set to see if they can find out more about them.

When the insect was first discovered in Washington, a news story was published raising alarms nationwide —leading to hundreds of reported sightings.

Those sightings were not murder hornets.

But, the fear  prevails.

Jun-ichi Takahasi, a specialist on the species from Japan, says that the hornet earned the “murder hornet” moniker from its aggressive behavior, its ability to deliver extremely painful stings and for the possibility that just a few stings can be fatal for humans, according to a report published this May.

Understandably, the public is concerned.

Beekeepers are concerned, too, since the hornet is adept at killing adult honeybees and feeding the larvae to its young.

Florida, popular for its beaches and warm winters and hot summers, has a conducive environment for invasive plants and species.

It has vines that choke the life out of native plant populations and pythons that choke the life out of native wildlife.

The giant Asian hornet has a yellow head, a black thorax, and yellow and black or brown stripes along its abdomen, making its size and color quite distinctive compared to any other insect in Florida. (Courtesy of Allan Smith-Pardo/USDA APHIS PPQ)

Florida also has plenty of wild areas where invasive pests can hide.

However, there have been no verified sightings of murder hornets in Florida, or nearly anywhere else in the U.S.

Still, the fear about murder hornets could endanger Florida’s native and beneficial insects that just so happen to resemble the now-famous hornet species.

These beneficial insects could be in jeopardy, just as sharks fell victim to human overreaction and sensationalism.

Here’s a look at some of the insects that could be at risk.

The most common wasp species mistaken for the giant Asian hornet is the cicada killer, also known as ground hornets.

Large and intimidating, cicada killers are not harmful. In fact, they help control the population of damaging plant-eating cicadas. There are a few species in Florida and throughout the Caribbean. Generally, they are not aggressive, but they are capable of stinging, if provoked.

Although not considered dangerous, any of the wasp species can be harmful to those with allergies, small children and the elderly.

It’s best to not encourage them to live close by using mulch to cover bare soil and, if necessary, using labeled insecticides can rid an area of the wasps.

Cicada killer colors, depending on the species, appear red to black with large, yellow spots. While the cicada killer is large, compared to other wasp species at 1.5-inches long, they pale in comparison to the giant Asian hornet which can grow to more than 2.5-inches long.

The giant Asian hornet has a yellow head, a black thorax, and yellow and black or brown stripes along its abdomen, making its size and color quite distinctive compared to any other insect in Florida.

The common paper wasp, commonly mistaken for a ‘murder hornet,’ is beneficial. It helps to pollinate plants and makes a great biological pest control, controlling damaging caterpillars. (Courtesy of Russ Ottens/University of Georgia)

Another wasp — the common paper wasp — also is commonly mistaken for a ‘murder hornet.” The paper wasp typically keeps to itself, but it can sting, if provoked.

Paper wasps are beneficial. They help to pollinate plants and they make a great biological pest control, controlling damaging caterpillars.

They can sting to protect their nests, but they typically are not a problem.

If they do become a problem, careful application of a labeled aerosol spray in the evening, after the wasps have returned to their nest, can address the issue.

Yellow jackets, another common Florida wasp, also are mistaken for “murder hornets.”

Yellow jackets are more aggressive in defending their homes than other wasp species, but they, too, are beneficial. They prey upon insect pests. Yellow jackets are distinctive in their coloration, which consists of a black body with bright, yellow stripes.

Another ground-dwelling wasp — the bald-faced hornet — also sometimes is mistaken for the giant Asian hornet. But, the bald-faced hornet wasp has very distinctive black and white coloration, and dwells in aerial nests.

The bald-faced hornet also is not a threat.

All of these wasps are hornets. Hornet is just a term for wasps that typically have above-ground nests. Yellow jacket is a term generally reserved for those wasps with underground nests.

People are concerned about the potential spread of the giant Asian hornets.

But, they can rest assured that the United States Department of Agriculture and Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services are vigilant.

They are constantly monitoring for invasive pathogens, insects and viruses that have potential to do harm to the native bees and wildlife, including the vitally important European honey bees, which surprisingly, are not a native species.

As sharks have been killed needlessly over the past four decades, innocent insects are being killed more frequently because of mistaken identity.

Those actions lead to potential ecological damage, as populations of native and non-native beneficial species are affected.

Many of these insects help pollinate crops, home gardens and ornamental plants.

They also can serve as important food sources for other animals.

Florida is rich in plant and animal diversity — so mistaken identities are understandable, but caution and patience should govern our reactions.

To learn more on this topic, visit:
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services – FDACS.gov
Florida Wildlife Commission – MyFWC.com
University of Florida/IFAS Pasco Cooperative Extension Office – SFYL.ifas.ufl.edu/pasco/.

Controlling wasps
Wasps play a beneficial role and should not be killed unnecessarily, but occasional control may be needed. If so, here are some things to keep in mind:

  • For yellow jackets (wasps nesting below ground), call in a licensed, pest control operator. These wasps are aggressive, and it’s difficult to get to the nests.
  • For hornets, or wasp species with small nests, use aerosol sprays labeled for their use on wasps. These types of spray can be sprayed from several feet away from the nest, to help avoid stings.
  • For large, aerial nests in trees, consult a licensed professional for removal options.

Need help?
If you believe you have spotted something unknown to our state, potentially dangerous, or simply unusual, there are resources to help with identification, and if necessary, offer control strategies.

The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Cooperative Extension Service can help with identification and can help you learn more about the insects.

The Florida Wildlife Commission and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services also are good sources of information.

Source: Whitney C. Elmore, is the UF/IFAS Pasco County Extension director and an Urban Horticulture Agent III.

Dr. Whitney C. Elmore is the UF/IFAS Pasco County Extension director and an Urban Horticulture Agent III.

Published September 23, 2020

Walking toward better health

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Pasco County Extension has kicked off a virtual 10-week walking program to promote good health through physical activity.

The program, planned by UF/IFAS Pasco County Extension encourages people to start taking steps to improve their health.

The 10-week program calls for those taking part to walk 30 minutes a day, wherever they choose, while tracking their progress for accountability and support through a virtual community, according to a Pasco County news release.

All are welcome.

The benefits of walking are known. It reduces the risk of heart disease and some cancers, improves blood pressure, blood sugar levels, energy, mood and more, the release says.

The virtual walking program will run from Sept. 14 through Nov. 22. An optional virtual kick-off event is set for Sept. 11 at noon.

Register by Sept. 8, at tinyurl.com/lwffall2020.

The program registration fee is $14.99 per person, and all ages are welcome.  Sign up with friends as a team or individually, or request to be assigned to a team.

For more information, contact Shari Bresin at (352) 518-0156 or .

Published September 02, 2020

Gardening during COVID-19: Sanitize your tools

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We all know to wash our hands for 20 seconds, cough into our elbows and practice 6-foot physical distancing.

Use common recipes, recommended by the University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) to sanitize tools. Soak them for 5 minutes to 10 minutes. (Courtesy of Nicole Pinson, UF/IFAS)

But, with all the sanitizing of hands and homes, did you know it’s also important to sanitize your garden tools?

Diseases may be spread from plant to plant by pruning tools, such as hand saws, pruners and loppers. This is especially true for palms.

Fusarium wilt and thielaviopsis trunk rot of palm are two examples of palm diseases that may be transmitted by pruning tools. Fusarium wilt and thielaviopis rot are both lethal palm diseases. It can be costly to remove or replant a specimen palm.

Canary Island date, queen, Mexican fan and coconut palms are the most susceptible. If you have any of these in your landscape, be extra careful about pruning and sanitizing your tools.

If you use a landscape maintenance company, talk with them to make sure they sanitize pruning tools between properties and before pruning these types of palms in your landscape.

Common recipes for sanitizing tools:

  • Pine Sol®: 25% Pine Sol® and 75% water
  • Bleach: 25% bleach and 75% water
  • Rubbing alcohol: 50% rubbing alcohol and 50% water (Must be 70% isopropyl alcohol)
  • Denatured ethanol: 50% denatured ethanol and 50% water (Must be 95% denatured alcohol)

The most important thing to remember: Soak the tools for 5 minutes to 10 minutes. Dipping them into a sanitizing solution will not sanitize them. They must soak for the solution to work.

Also, be sure to replace the solution every two hours, or after 10 palms.

And, be sure to rinse the tool with fresh water after soaking it.

In general, palms rarely need to be pruned. When pruning, only remove dead or dangerous fronds.

Too much pruning may attract pests, such as palmetto weevils. Too much pruning can make nutrient deficiencies worse. It may also stress the palm, which makes it less able to withstand disease.

Take good care of your palms by not over-pruning them. Don’t “hurricane” prune or trim them into pineapple shapes.

 

If you have gardening questions during COVID-19, contact your local Extension office’s virtual help desk. Find an Extension office at this link: https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/find-your-local-office/

For additional information, email , or call (813) 744-5519, ext. 54145.

To learn more about palms, please check the references used for this column:

Nicole Pinson is the Urban Horticulture Agent in Hillsborough County.

Published August 05, 2020

Beware of hidden dangers to pets in your landscape

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As a dog lover (well, an animal lover in general), I spend a lot of time keeping an eye on my treasured pets.

I make sure they are eating a healthy diet, drinking plenty of fresh water and have comfy beds for sleeping.

I’m also vigilant about keeping them away from getting into anything dangerous, such as cleaning supplies, fertilizers and medications.

Oleander flowers. UF/IFAS Photo by Tom Wright.

Whether they’re inside or outside, pet owners must be responsible for keeping their pets safe.

That’s a duty that I take seriously.

Pet owners typically are aware that chocolate, grapes, onions and caffeine are poisonous to pets.

But, other dangers aren’t always so obvious.

Those hazards include poisonous plants and common landscape items that can become hazardous.

Many would agree that mulch is an excellent addition to the landscape. It locks in moisture, prevents weeds and adds curb appeal. However, be sure to keep your pets, especially the younger ones, away from it.

Mulches generally are woody and sharp, and when a pet chews on mulch, there’s a risk of pieces lodging in the throat or the intestines. That’s always serious and sometimes can be fatal.

So, when puppies are out exploring your yard, be sure to keep a close eye on them and offer them lots of pet toys to keep their interest.

Watch out for small rocks and sticks, too. They also pose choking dangers and can cause puncture wounds, and blockages.

But, the biggest risk comes from common landscaping plants because many, while beautiful, are poisonous.

Of course, just because a plant has toxic properties, it doesn’t mean it can’t or shouldn’t be used in a landscape.

Plants play various roles in the landscape. Sometimes they are pollinators. They also provide food or homes for wildlife. Plus, they are important aesthetic features that can boost the value of property.

Lantana is a sturdy and pretty plant, but it also contains toxins that can be harmful to pets. (Courtesy of UF/IFAS)

So, with all those benefits, just remember to be mindful of what you are planting in your landscape, and be sure to take precautions to keep your pets and children away from potential dangers.

To help you stay safe, here are some things to remember about some popular landscape plants.

Milkweed, a favorite among gardeners, exudes a milky sap. Besides causing irritation, the sap can be toxic if consumed.

If you have this plant in your landscape, be sure to keep your pets way from it.

Also, be sure to prevent your pet from straying onto someone else’s property because there may be plants there that could pose harm.

Lantana is another fan favorite. This plant is tough as nails and pretty, too, and is frequented by bees and butterflies. It is also easy to grow and adds nice color to the landscape.

But, it also has its downsides.

It is not recommended in Florida because it is quite invasive and once established, is hard to control.

The name of this plant, angel’s trumpet, belies the dangers it poses. All parts of this plant are poisonous. (Mary Rathman)

Plus, it is highly toxic to animals.

Angel’s trumpet is a beautiful plant with huge flowers, shaped like trumpets. The flowers — which can come in white, yellow, orange or peach — hang downward and have a delicate fragrance.

But, the name angel’s trumpet is a misnomer: All parts of this plant are poisonous.

Coral bean — a  favorite plant of hummingbirds and butterflies — has tall, red blooms. Those blooms give way to black seed pods, and when they are opened, they give way to shiny, red seeds.

The pretty seeds are enticing to pets and children, but are highly toxic.

If you have this plant, consider removing the seed pods before they split so the seeds aren’t distributed into the landscape.

Another beautiful plant, oleander, is fast-growing and requires little maintenance.

This gorgeous plant produces copious flowers of red, pink, coral, yellow or white combined with long, dark green leaves — making it a shrub showstopper.

At this point, you may have surmised, that every part of this plant is poisonous.

Chinaberry, a very common tree in Florida, grows quickly and tall, and has fragrant flowers.

But, it doesn’t live long, and is a messy tree with poisonous fruit and seeds.

This plant is aggressive and invasive, and not recommended in the landscape. Nicotiana, or flowering tobacco, is another home gardener favorite.

Use care not to let your dog play with small sticks because they can become a choking hazard. Also keep an eye on your pooch to keep him away from dangerous plants. (Courtesy of UF/IFAS)

Its green, purple, pink or white flowers are plentiful and it has a heavenly scent, especially at night, making it a great plant for moon gardens.

Since it does contain nicotine, it is another poisonous plant to keep away from pets.

Mistletoe, a popular traditional decoration around the holidays, is poisonous to pets.

It’s not good for trees, either. Found living on many trees in Florida, mistletoe is a parasite, robbing its host plant of nutrients and water. Large infestations of mistletoe can kill otherwise healthy and established trees over time.

It also spreads easily, so if you spot mistletoe, remove it from your landscape.

During summer months, yesterday-today-and-tomorrow blooms can grab your attention as they change color from purple or lavender to white within a day or two.

These plants can grow to be 8 feet tall to 10 feet tall, although there are some dwarf varieties available.

All parts of yesterday-today-and-tomorrow plants are poisonous. The berries are the most toxic.

When deciding what to add to your landscape, be sure to take the time to investigate new plants before planting them.

The first principle of Florida-Friendly Landscaping is to put the right plant in the right place.

This applies not only to mature height, width, sun or shade, but also with consideration to pets and the potential dangers that exist.

Also, after pruning poisonous plants, do not burn the branches. Burning them can release toxic compounds that can cause serious health risks, if inhaled.

Finally, keep in mind that just because a plant is poisonous, it doesn’t mean it must be banned from your landscape.

It just needs to be located in a place where it will be less accessible, or inviting, to pets and children.

If you would like to know about specific plant species and whether they are poisonous, or if you are unsure of a plant identification, be sure to reach out to your local University of Florida/IFAS Extension Office for information.

As the old adage goes, it’s better to be safe, than sorry.

For more information about plants that are poisonous to pets, visit tinyurl.com/ojasgpk.

By Whitney C. Elmore

Dr. Whitney C. Elmore is the UF/IFAS Pasco County Extension director and an Urban Horticulture Agent III.

Published May 27, 2020

Some news you can use

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Prevent the spread
Help prevent the spread of COVID-19:

  • Stay home when you are sick, except to get medical care.
  • Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Clean frequently touched surfaces and objects daily.

Source: Florida Department of Health

Get lawn and garden advice
Working on the yard? Expert advice for lawn or garden issues is now just a click away thanks to new Virtual Plant Clinics with UF/IFAS Pasco County Cooperative Extension Service. Meet online with a master gardener on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at bit.ly/pascoplantclinic. Master Gardeners can help with pest identification, weed control, spring growing tips and more.

Don’t cause plumbing headaches
If you’re using wipes to clean surfaces in your home and office, be sure not to flush them.

Flushing wipes, even those labeled as “flushable,” can create a costly plumbing mishap in your home later. Visit HCFLGov.net/DontFlush for more information.

Food pickup points
The YMCAs of the Tampa Bay are teaming up with community partners to feed families and fight food insecurity during these unprecedented times. The Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA, YMCA of the Suncoast and YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg are working with Feeding Tampa Bay, local school districts and other organizations to help provide fresh food to families across Greater Tampa Bay.

FEEDING TAMPA BAY MOBILE PANTRY
Anyone can receive a free pre-packaged box of groceries in a drive-thru type model.
Mondays, 3 p.m. to 4 p.m., at the James P. Gills Family YMCA, 8411 Photonics Drive, Trinity.

PASCO COUNTY SCHOOLS
School buses deliver free bags of food, which include breakfast and lunch for five days for each student.
East Pasco Family YMCA, 37301 Chapel Hill Loop, Zephyrhills
Tuesdays, 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
For additional food pickup locations and information, visit the Pasco County Schools website (Pasco.k12.fl.us) and the Hillsborough County Schools website (SDHC.k12.fl.us).

Top scams
Con artists are trying to take advantage of the uncertainty and anxiety caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Better Business Bureau urges you to protect yourself from these common scams:

  • Phony cures and fake masks: The BBB Scam Tracker has received numerous reports of people receiving emails and messages claiming that, for a price, they can buy products the government is supposedly keeping secret – ways to prevent or cure coronavirus. Medical experts are working hard to find a coronavirus vaccine, but none currently exists.
  • Economic impact payment (Stimulus Check) scams
    As soon as stimulus packages were announced and approved, scammers quickly got to work sending out fake economic impact checks and asking consumers to pay fees to get their money earlier than what the IRS has promised. These claims are false and open consumers to the risk of identity theft and outright theft of the funds in their bank account.
  • Phishing Scams
    As more people work from home, con artists have stepped up phishing scams. They may claim to be from an official department of the employer to offer IT support or claim the company issued computer has a virus. They may use scare tactics, stating the computer will crash if you don’t act immediately, all in an attempt to gain access to your computer remotely, or to your personal or company’s information.
  • Government Impersonation
    Another common phishing scam brought on by the coronavirus pandemic is fake emails and text messages claiming the government needs you to take an “online coronavirus test” by clicking a link they provide. No such test currently exists, but if you click on the link, scammers can download malware onto your computer and gain access to your sensitive personal information.
  • Employment Scams
    Many people are looking for work online in the wake of coronavirus shutdowns. Fraudsters find ways to take advantage of this by posting phony work-from-home jobs promising remote work with good pay and no interview required. These cons often use real company names and can be convincing.

After you are “hired,” the company may charge you upfront for “training.” You may need to provide your personal and banking information to run a credit check or set up direct deposit. You may be “accidentally” overpaid with a fake check, and asked to deposit the check and wire back the difference. Or, you are asked to buy expensive equipment and supplies to work at home.

  • Shortage Scams (price gouging)
    Supplies such as hand sanitizer, face masks and toilet paper are selling out in stores across the U.S. and Canada. Scammers take advantage of this situation and stockpile items in high demand. Then, they seek out potential clients, online and in person, and sell the products at extremely high prices. Price gouging is illegal and high demands for products can lead to con artists selling products that are used, defective or otherwise mishandled. In some cases, scammers will con people out of their money by accepting payments for products that don’t exist.

This has been an issue with face masks. Masks are sold out in most local stores and major online sellers. Instead, consumers are turning to unfamiliar online shops. Unfortunately, phony sellers abound. These scam online retailers take shoppers’ money – as well as personal information – and never deliver the masks.

Prevent mosquitoes
As people spend more time at home and outdoors, during the pandemic, these tips from Hillsborough County’s Management Services, may be useful. Following them can help reduce the population of mosquitoes on a property, and reduce the potential for being bit. Here are the pointers:

  • Empty water containers at least once per week
  • Wear long sleeves, long pants, and light-colored, loose-fitting clothing
  • Properly apply an approved repellent, such as DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon-eucalyptus or any other EPA-registered repellent

For more information about mosquito protection and breeding prevention, visit HCFLGov.net/Mosquito.

These websites offer a wealth of information:
Pasco Economic Development Council Inc.: PascoEDC.com
North Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce: NorthTampaBayChamber.com
Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce: GreaterPasco.com
Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce: ZephyrhillsChamber.org
Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce: DadeCityChamber.org
Hillsborough County government: HillsboroughCounty.org
Pasco County government: PascoCountyFl.net
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: CDC.gov
Florida Department of Health: FloridaHealthCovid19.gov
Florida Department of Economic Opportunity: FloridaJobs.org
U.S. Small Business Administration: SBA.gov
Pasco County Schools: Pasco.k12.fl.us
Hillsborough County Schools: SDHC.k12.fl.us

Published April 15, 2020

Learning to prepare delicious, healthy jam

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Dade City’s One-Stop Shop recently held a class on how to produce and preserve canned strawberry jam.

The art of canning involves preserving foods in jars, to keep them safe for eating for long periods of time.

Rachelle Colon, left, and Nancy Robbins pour out their sweet, homemade jam into jars to enjoy later. (Brian Fernandes)

The class, at the One-Stop Shop in Dade City, was presented by the University of Florida-Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Pasco County Extension.

LuAnn Duncan is a UF/IFAS instructor who explained how to properly can strawberry jam and reduce the chances of contamination.

“Bacteria grows and it can grow on the food. It can grow in your refrigerator. It can be transferred from your hands,” she said.

“Anything that’s a low acid food is considered a high risk,” Duncan added.

Fortunately, strawberries have high levels of acidity, which helps deter bacteria from building up.

When placed in a jar, low acid foods should be boiled to at least 240 degrees Fahrenheit. Foods with a higher level of acidity only need to be boiled at 212 degrees Fahrenheit.

These ladies are measuring out their strawberry jam into jars, at Dade City’s One-Stop Shop.

Boiling jars helps to tighten the seal and remove oxygen, preventing growth of bacteria, mold and yeast, she said. Jars of varying sizes can be used to store strawberry jam.

When using 4 half-pint jars, 3 cups of frozen or thoroughly washed strawberries should be mashed down in a bowl.

Before boiling in a pot, strawberries should be mixed with pectin.

Pectin is a natural substance in fruit that gives it a gelatinous form. However, strawberries contain little pectin.

Commercial pectin in powdered form can be purchased and mixed with strawberries.

Add 2 ½ tablespoons of the pectin and 3 cups of sugar.

These components help to thicken the strawberry jam.

These ladies are hard at work while making strawberry jam at a session at Dade City’s One-Stop Shop. Attendees learned how to prepare jam and preserve it.

The mixture is then placed in a pot and is consistently stirred while boiling.

A separate pot ranging from 8 quarts to 10 quarts, should be used to sterilize empty jars before they’re filled with the jam.

A fitted, circular rack used to hold multiple jars, should be placed at the bottom of the pot.

Before boiling, a jar lifter should clench the seal of the jars, placing each one in the rack.

A temperature gauge should be used to indicate how hot the water is.

The water is preheated to 180 degrees Fahrenheit and brought to a boil after jars are submerged underneath.

The boiling should take approximately 10 minutes.

When the strawberry jam has finished boiling in its pot, the hot jars can be removed from the other pot, using the jar lifter.

Nancy Robbins, left, and Barbara Nielsen stir their pot of hot strawberry jam at Dade City’s One-Stop Shop. The class showed how to prepare and preserve homemade jam.

Each jar is then filled with jam using a funnel, and the jar’s rim is wiped before the seal and lid are fastened.

There should be a ¼-inch of headspace between where the jam settles and the jar’s lid.

The jam-filled jars are placed into the same pot rack.

Water should be 2 inches above the jars and boiled to at least 212 degrees Fahrenheit for five minutes.

This helps to tighten the seal, preventing exposure to bacteria.

Using the jar lifter, each jar is taken out and placed on a towel with at least a 1-inch space between them.

Each jar should be cooled for 24 hours before use. When the seal is detached, the rim of each jar is wiped off of any jelly, to prevent molding.

The environment for cooling should be anywhere from 50 degrees to 70 degrees Fahrenheit.

For further information on canning food items and the necessary equipment, visit the National Center for Home Food Preservation at https://nchfp.uga.edu/.

Published April 08, 2020

Protect your palms against disease

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Take a look at the photo of the Sylvester palm, submitted by a Hillsborough County resident.

This Sylvester palm tested positive for the phytoplasma that causes lethal bronzing disease. (Courtesy of Nicole Pinson, University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences)

Does it look normal?

Do the leaves appear to have a nutrient or disease problem?

Many palm species are now listed as susceptible to the disease called lethal bronzing. Lethal Bronzing Disease was formerly known as Texas Phoenix Palm Decline.

When we first learned about Lethal Bronzing Disease, we knew beautiful (and often expensive) palms of the Phoenix species, such as Canary Island Date palms (Phoenix canariensis), Sylvester palms (Phoenix sylvestris) and pygmy date palms (Phoenix roebelenii), as well as our native cabbage palms (Sabal palmetto), were the top species affected by this disease.

But, recently, University of Florida/Institute of Agricultural and Sciences researchers updated the list of palms that may test positive for the disease. The expanded list includes Christmas palms (also known as Adonidia palms), Bismarck palms, coconut palms, Chinese fan palms and queen palms.

Hillsborough and Pasco counties are among several other Florida counties with confirmed cases of Lethal Bronzing Disease.

These types of palms are hosts for Lethal Bronzing Disease: Christmas, Bismarck, Pindo, Carpentaria, Coconut, Chinese Fan, Canary Island Date, Edible Date, Pygmy Date, Wild Date, Fiji Fan, Buccaneer, Mexican Palmetto, Cabbage, Queen and Chinese Windmill.

If you have one of these palms, it is important to keep an eye on it and check for disease symptoms. The disease is caused by a phytoplasma, a type of bacteria that doesn’t have a cell wall. The phytoplasma is transmitted to the sap of palms by insects, such as planthoppers, when the insects feed on the palms. The disease cannot be transmitted by pruning tools.

Symptoms of the disease include fruit drop; discoloration of the oldest (lowest) leaves; brown or dead flower clusters; the collapse of the spear leaf at the top of the palm (newest leaf); and, quick decline (usually about four months to five months).

To test for Lethal Bronzing Disease, submit a trunk sample for testing to the UF/IFAS Plant Diagnostic Center, and follow the palm trunk sampling instructions available at this link: https://plantpath.ifas.ufl.edu/misc/media/PDC/palmsampling.pdf.

The cost is $80 per sample. The lab will provide a report about whether the palm is diseased.

Queen palms have been listed recently as a host plant for lethal bronzing disease.

If you have susceptible palms without symptoms of the disease, you may inoculate them preventatively with an antibiotic called oxytetracycline. This may be done by a professional landscape company or by an arborist. Homeowners may choose to inoculate their own palms, and there are instructions available and companies online that sell the antibiotics to homeowners.

But, antibiotic injections are not a one-time cure-all. They must be injected into healthy palms every three months to four months, which may be a significant investment of time and money, over several years, for some homeowners.

If the disease is confirmed, removal is recommended. You don’t want the disease to spread to other palms in your landscape or neighborhood.

Researchers are studying this disease and considering the number of species affected in different Florida counties. Moving forward, homeowners may use this information to recognize disease symptoms, learn about preventative antibiotics, and select palms and other plants that are less susceptible to disease.

For more information on protecting your palms, consult reference materials used to provide information for this column regarding Lethal Bronzing Disease and the application of Oxytetracycline Hydrochloride (OTC-HCl) to control palm phytoplasmas.

Those materials were written by B.W. Bahder and E.E. Helmick, and were published by UF/IFAS.

For additional information, email , or call (813) 744-5519, ext. 54145.

Nicole Pinson is the Urban Horticulture Agent in Hillsborough County. Jan Ignash, UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County Master Gardener Volunteer, contributed to this article.

Published February 19, 2020

Transition made easier, with a little love

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When Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano first learned about the Luggage of Love program, he committed to helping meet its goal of providing displaced children and families with new and/or gently used suitcases.

Luggage of Love is a coordinated effort in Pasco County by the University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS)  Pasco County Extension Office.

Elizabeth Urquiola, program coordinator for the Pasco County UF/IFAS Extension Office and Luggage of Love program, shows the suitcases, duffle bags and backpacks donated by the Pasco County Tax Collector’s Office staff members. (Courtesy of Pasco County Tax Collector’s Office)

In the past, children who often travel with caseworkers into foster care, or are otherwise removed from their homes due to emergency situations, have had just a plastic garbage bag for carrying their clothing and personal belongings.

The luggage program adds a measure of dignity to a child who is most likely experiencing one of the most traumatic events in his or her young life.

In other cases, single mothers, often escaping domestic violence, are the recipients of the luggage for themselves and their children.

The Pasco County Tax Collector’s Office staff members recently were able to make two luggage deliveries, as well as a cash donation of $500 to the program to use as needed.

Elizabeth Urquiola, program coordinator for the UF/IFAS Pasco County Extension Office and Luggage of Love program, said the money will be used for more luggage tags and a better logo stamp that also are provided.

“It is heartbreaking to think that a child or a mother in distress may only have plastic garbage bags which they use to carry their belongings,” said Fasano, in a news release.

He added, “I am so proud of our staff who rose to the occasion and donated everything from suitcases to duffle bags and backpacks for this incredible charity.”

To learn more about the Luggage of Love program, call Elizabeth Urquiola at (352) 521-1254, ext. 5325.

To donate luggage and for information, call Greg Giordano, assistant tax collector, at (727) 847-8179.

Published February 05, 2020