People to See

People to See

There are bug specialists all around us--some in places you may not expect.

Utah State University is an agricultural university. Some of the best insect information in the state can be found at USU. You can Ask-a-Specialist - aska@ext.usu.edu your insect questions and a USU entomologist (a scientist who studies insects) will reply. You can also read some of the past insect queries and responses at their Ask-a-Specialist page such as "How do I know which insects are beneficial to my yard?" and "How can I avoid being stung by flying insects?"

There are Utah State Extension services available in each of the 29 counties in Utah. The horticulturalists who work in these offices are valuable sources of insect information.

If your job is getting rid of pests, you have to understand them to eliminate them. Look in the yellow pages and call a local exterminator. How about Orkin? Someone at these companies can tell you all about common insects in Utah. Do we even have termites in Utah or are they just in warmer, damper climates?

Employees at your local garden center can be good sources of insect information.

There are Intermountain Farmers Associations in many of the communities throughout Utah. Call and ask for their insect specialist.

Remember that famous cricket infestation? In Utah, are some years better or worse for producing large numbers of the anabrus simplex cricket--commonly called the Mormon cricket? Wade Bitner - wadeb@ext.usu.edu, horticulturalist for Utah State Extension Services had indicated that he would be happy to address local cricket concerns.

While you're at it, why not Ask an Astronaut - askastro@aol.com, Ask a Geologist - geologist@usgs.gov, or Ask a Fingerprint Examiner - printman1001@excite.com. Go back a page and choose a different category. Ask a Bubble Expert - richf@alphachannel.com sounds interesting.

Talk to the best gardener in your neighborhood. People with a green thumb are often very knowledgeable about insects. Find out what insects this gardener likes (ladybugs?) and why and which insects are this gardener's enemy.