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Stinknet, also known as globe chamomile, is a relatively new weed in Arizona that has quickly spread.  The first herbarium collection for Arizona was made in the spring of 1997 and the first published account of its presence in Arizona was by Landrum et al. (2005).  By 2019 the plant had risen to public attention due to its conspicuous presence.  Stinknet is now common in the Phoenix metro area and across much of Maricopa County.  It is spreading south along the I-10 corridor, becoming well established in Pinal County.  Outbreaks have occurred within the Tucson metro area, and also in rural parts of Pima County.  Recent observations show stinknet has found its way into Mexico (SEINet Portal Network, 2020).

Blister beetles belong to a family of beetles called Meloidae. This family contains approximately 300 species distributed across the continental United States, including 150 in Arizona. Blister beetles have a peculiar life cycle. Females of some species lay eggs directly on plants and the emerged larvae interact with the host insect, while other blister beetles deposit clusters of eggs in small depressed areas of soil that form following rains and water runoff. The hatched larvae (called triungulin) feed on subterranean grasshopper egg pods or eggs of ground-nesting bees to complete development. The larvae pass through three growth stages (instars), with each becoming less active, and eventually they overwinter in the pupal stage. The adults emerge in the spring, and deposit eggs again in the summer to complete the cycle.

Did you know that in Arizona when you go to sell your house with an onsite wastewater treatment system (septic system), or a property without a dwelling but possessing an onsite system, that you must have it inspected by a qualified Transfer of Ownership Inspector? Did you know that this inspection is required by Arizona law and cannot be waived by the buyer, seller, real estate agents, loaning agency, or title company? What are your responsibilities as the buyer, the seller, the real estate agent? How do you know if you have obtained a qualified inspector? This publication will provide useful information on the Transfer of Ownership Inspection for onsite wastewater treatment systems

Growing table grapes is fun and easy because they do well in most soils and are suited to Arizona’s diverse climate. Choosing a site with full sunlight, selecting the right variety, and caring for the vines properly will produce tasty fruit. Vines require several years from time of planting to the first harvest. Full production can be obtained in five to six years. Vines can survive for 50-100 years if properly cared for. Grapes require special care for maximum production of excellent quality fruit. The most important practice is the training and pruning of vines once they are established.

Download the poster with quick tips from the full publication.

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  Tips for Keeping Your Horse Healthy
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  Cuide La Salud De Sus Caballos

Whenever the word “Biosecurity” is mentioned in an equine environment, it is often met with shoulder shrugs or eye rolls. While everyone seems to acknowledge that Biosecurity is an important topic, people tend to think it either won’t happen to them (their horse catching a disease), or that the changes needed involve a huge investment in time, money, or effort. People often assume that they’ve done their due diligence by vaccinating; however, vaccinations are not 100% effective, and not every disease has an available vaccine.

By making several simple horse care changes, you can significantly decrease your horse’s risk of exposure to disease. Using the tips below, you may prevent your horse from being exposed to sick horses while away at a show. If your horse were to bring a virus home, proper Biosecurity practices could result in just one sick horse, as opposed to a whole barn full.

The intent of this article and posters is to inject a little humor while providing key common sense tips on Biosecurity. Each tip is accompanied by an easy to remember theme and cartoon. These changes seem small, but they can make a big difference in protecting the health of your horse. While testing these tips on seasoned horsemen and women, many experienced the “ah hah moment” and responded with “I never even thought about that” or “I used to know that!” Test your own knowledge and share this information with youth and adults far and wide.

This publication lists laboratories that provide soil, plant, feed, and water testing within the state of Arizona.

ALS Environmental 

4208 S. Santa Rita Ave Tucson, AZ 85714
520-573-1061
Certified: environmental – air, soil, sediment water
Not for the average homeowner

Apex Environmental Laboratory

2105 S. 48th St., Ste 102
Tempe, AZ 85282
602-437-0762
Email: woodsb@azapexlab.com
Certified: metal & elemental analysis on drinking water, wastewater, soils/solids, hazardous waste 
Not for average homeowner

Aquatic Consulting & Testing, Inc. 

1525 W. University Dr., Ste 106
Tempe, AZ 85281
480-921-8044
Certified by ADHS: licensed aquatic herbicide & pesticide applicator, soil, water (incl. wastewater, microbiology, effluent toxicity, urban lake, mosquito & midge fly mgmt, algae ID, stream monitoring & assessment, water feature mgmt.

Bradshaw Mountain Environmental Lab

3050 Windsong, Ste 105  
Prescott Valley, AZ 86314  
928-778-4510 
E-mail: prescott@bradshawmtnenv.com 
ADEQ Compliance (water for fecal bacteria /coliform, E-coli), nitrates/nitrites, metals, pH, and total dissolvable solids