High waters from floods will drive snakes and rodents into areas they may not venture normally. By Mario Villarino
Developed by Dr. Mario A. Villarino, County Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources Hopkins County, Texas High waters from floods will drive snakes and rodents into areas they may not venture normally, such as homes and storage buildings. According to Mississippi State University’s Extension Service anytime a building has been flooded,...
Livestock Preparedness & Recovery By Mario Villarino
Recent precipitation has triggered several emergency-response mechanisms county-wide . According to David W. Smith, Extension Safety Program Specialist, recent agricultural statistics ranks Texas number one in livestock (cattle and calves) production with more than 14 million head. This industry contributes nearly 8 billion dollars in cash sales receipts each year to the state. In the event of a major emergency or disaster, personal...
Flies and How to Get Rid of Them By Mario Villarino
Happy New Year 2018! We at the Hopkins County Extension Office will like to wish you a safe and happy new year 2018!. Recently a heavy infestation of flies has been reported inside homes around Hopkins County. I know because I personally have found them around my home lately. The cold weather differential between outdoors and heated homes lures them inside looking for survival when cold weather prevails. According to Dr. Michael...
This Bug is Back and Looking for Blood
By Savannah Owens There have been 19 confirmed cases and counting of the Zika Virus in Texas this year. In 2016 Texas had 370 cases of West Nile Virus, which is also becoming a threat in Texas in 2017 as mosquito season has hit it’s peak time. People can hardly go outside to check their mail without being bitten. While most people who contract West Nile Virus don’t have symptoms, about 20% of people will face fever, body...
An Inside Look at Barn Swallows: How They Do Their Part
By Savannah Owens Once again Barn Swallow season in Texas is coming to a close as the beautiful birds prepare to migrate south for the winter. Barn Swallows typically can be found in Texas sometimes as early as March and typically stay until June or July. With this year’s cooler weather we have enjoyed a longer season with many birds hatching out their last brood in July. Barn Swallows are easily identified by their blue backs and...
Beef Tips- Anaplasmosis By Mario Villarino
One method to maintain communication and educational efforts to our community is the release of newsletters. With recent development of internet-based information and mass media, it is important to use these communication methods to relate time-based information to our constituents instead of traditional printed materials.. Because the time sensitive information due to recent rains and high incidence of mosquitoes in Hopkins County, I...
Texas Residents Asked to Assist in Documentation of Bat Species and Populations
COLLEGE STATION — The Texas A&M Institute of Renewable Natural Resources bat research team is asking Texas residents to help document bat species and populations throughout the state. The institute’s Bat and Hibernacula Surveys team is conducting surveys statewide to determine the location of wintering bats and their roosts. “We are trying to get baseline numbers in anticipation of white-nose syndrome, a deadly, cold-adapted...
2016 Hopkins County Livestock and Forage By Mario Villarino
Relevance: Beef and Dairy Production is a 2.96 billion dollar industry in the East Region of Texas. The most common beef producer in the region is a cow/calf producer with less than 100 head. County-based Program Area Committees (PAC) firmly establish the need for educational programs targeted for beef and dairy producers enabling them to increase knowledge as well as adopt best management practices and new technologies improving...
City of Commerce Reports Two Confirmed Cases of Human West Nile Virus
COMMERCE, TX—Emergency Management Officials are reporting two confirmed cases of human West Nile Virus within the city limits of Commerce. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) 70 to 80 percent of people infected with West Nile Virus will exhibit no symptoms. One out of five people will develop symptoms such as a fever, headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea or a rash. Less than one percent of people who...
AgriLife Extension Offers Tips for Avoiding Zika
AgriLife Extension Offers Tips for Avoiding Zika You have heard of the Zika virus in the news. The mosquito-transmitted virus is a potential threat to the health of unborn babies in Texas and other states. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service has stepped up efforts to educate the public on ways to protect themselves from this new menace. Dr. Sonja Swiger, AgriLife Extension entomologist, reminds us that it’s important to...
