If you’ve ever participated in any type of outdoor work or play you’ve probably encountered some of Georgia’s pests as a result of your outside activities. Information from the University of Georgia’s Cooperative Extension Office reports that the top three most miserable pests in the Southeast are poison ivy (and its relatives poison oak and sumac), ticks and chiggers. Every year, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension offices receive numerous calls about these annoying Georgia natives. The agency takes the GI Joe approach to battling these pests by saying that Knowing is half the battle. Knowing how to avoid these common pests is the best defense. Children should be taught at an early age what poison ivy looks like. The old saying, “Leaves of three? Let it be!” is a good rule to follow. Poison Ivy can produce fuzzy vines, hang from trees or simply cover the ground. Ticks and chiggers are more commonly encountered off the beaten path. They are more likely to latch on to your legs and torso when you brush against tall grass, weeds or underbrush. If you are working or playing in areas like this the Extension Office urges you to check yourself for ticks at least twice a day. They also suggest that you bathe immediately when coming in from outside and wash your clothes in hot soapy water. for more on this topic check out the UGA Cooperative Extension Website at http://georgiafaces.caes.uga.edu/

Contact the Chattooga County Extension office for information on these pests and other valuable information regarding agriculture, the environment, communities, youth and families. Your local agent is Rebecca Thomas. Visit their website today at http://www.ugaextension.com/chattooga/

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