LDAF Urges Vigilance During Termite Season
The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) Commissioner Mike Strain, D.V.M., reminds property owners to remain vigilant for termites during late spring and into the coming summer months.
With Louisiana’s warm and wet climate this time of year, termites can get especially active as they constantly seek out new food sources.
“Turning off outside lights at night or using yellow bulbs can help you avoid attracting swarming termites,” says Commissioner Strain. “However, there are also other proactive measures you can take on a regular basis to protect your property from the destruction of termites.”
Fix any leaks in the roof, pipes, and outside faucets on your home.
Repair rotting wood on the fascia, soffit, and exterior wood surfaces.
Remove any wood lying under or around your home, and store firewood away from your home.
Examine your home’s slab line and the base of piers for signs of termites.
Clean the gutters on your home and repair sections that may be damaged.
Trim tree limbs and vines that may be growing on your home.
Drain water away from the slab or under your home; do not let it pool.
Treatments and annual inspections by a licensed, insured, and bonded pest control company are a good termite preventative. Between professional inspections, property owners can also look for mud tubes on slabs, piers, or walls; pinholes in wallboards; softness in flooring; or blisters in paint or wallpaper.
To find out which companies are certified and licensed to perform termite-related services, consumers can contact the LDAF at 225-925-4578, visit the LDAF website at www.ldaf.la.gov, or download the LDAF Business Search App (available in the Apple and Google Play store).
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St. Mary Parish woman Arrested For Forgery
On May 4, 2023, a St. Mary Parish woman was arrested for forgery charges resulting from an investigation conducted by brand inspectors with the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry’s (LDAF) Livestock Brand Commission and an arrest warrant issued by St. Mary Parish.
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Reward Offered for Help in Solving Grant Parish Pesticide Vandalism, Theft
Agents with the Livestock Brand Commission of the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF), in conjunction with the Grant Parish Sheriff’s Office, are asking for the public’s assistance in an agricultural pesticides vandalism case in Grant Parish.
On April 18, in an agricultural field on the east side of the 700 block of Hwy 158 in Colfax, LA, property workers discovered that someone had tampered with valves on two large pesticide containers on a trailer and spilled the pesticides Glufosinate and Glyphosate on the ground. Some of the pesticides may have been stolen.
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Information Needed In Grant Parish Trespassing & Chemical Vandalism Case
Agents with the Livestock Brand Commission of the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF), in conjunction with the Grant Parish Sheriff’s Office, are asking for the public’s assistance in an agricultural pesticides vandalism case in Grant Parish.
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Appellate Court Rules In Favor Of Agriculture
On Wednesday, April 12, the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that Louisiana can enforce the Truth in Labeling of Food Products Act (Act 273 of the 2019 Regular Session).
In a 3-0 decision, the court said the law did not infringe Tofurky’s First Amendment commercial free speech rights, reversing a lower court ruling in a case brought by the maker of Tofurky.
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Natchitoches Arsonist Apprehended In New Orleans
On March 17, 2023, a Natchitoches Parish man was apprehended in New Orleans by the United States Marshal Service Violent Offender Task Force.
Billy Ellerbe, Jr., of Natchitoches, was apprehended as a result of warrants for separate counts of arson by the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) and the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office (NPSO).
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LDAF To Hold Unwanted Pesticide Collection Day March 23 In Napoleonville
Agricultural producers, pesticide applicators, and homeowners can drop off pesticides for disposal during the Unwanted Pesticide Pick-Up Day on Thursday, March 23, 2023, from 7 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the LSU AgCenter Extension Office in Assumption Parish, 119 Robin Street in Napoleonville.
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Louisiana Legislature to Consider Marijuana Regulation, Decriminalization Bills
A Louisiana State Representative filed two pre-filed bills for legislative consideration to decriminalize and regulate cannabis throughout the state.
Louisiana State Representative Candace Newell submitted HB17, providing definitions for marijuana cultivation, processing, manufacturing, and licensing cannabis products. All regulations of HB17, if passed, would be under the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry.
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Man Accused of Stealing 70 Head of Livestock in Vernon Parish
A suspect was arrested following the theft of livestock in Allen Parish.
The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) says Bobbie. G Smith, 65, stole 70 heads of livestock three times during November and December 2022. Smith, from Thayer, Missouri, is also accused of failing to provide acceptable payment to a livestock vendor.
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LDAF To Hold Unwanted Pesticide Collection Day March 23 In Napoleonville
Agricultural producers, pesticide applicators, and homeowners can drop off pesticides for disposal during the Unwanted Pesticide Pick-Up Day on Thursday, March 23, 2023, from 7 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the LSU AgCenter Extension Office in Assumption Parish, 119 Robin Street in Napoleonville.
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Columbia Man Arrested Following LDAF Investigation
The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry investigated James H. Rowland for withholding proceeds of timber during the months of Dec. 2021 to Jan. 2023.
Investigators of the Forestry Enforcement Division say that Rowland was hired to harvest timber in Caldwell Parish on a 1300-acre tract. According to LDAF, Rowland allegedly withheld proceeds from the timber that was harvested off the tract. He also failed to report and pay for the loads of timber, depriving the owners of their share from the sales. LDAF says the timber was determined to have a delivered value of $283,996.88.
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Seafood Season Looks Good
As Lent begins for observant Catholics in the New Orleans area, crawfish season is picking up. Of course, that's not all Louisiana has to offer.
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State Ag Officials Push for On-Time Farm Bill to Fund Slew of Programs
State agriculture officials from across the country sought this month to remind a new crop of lawmakers in Congress of their states’ needs for a robust farm bill to address a host of food issues.
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Louisiana Farms And Land In Farms
Number of Farms, Land in Farms, and Average Farm Size - Louisiana: 2012 - 2022.
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LDAF Encourages Participation In Louisiana's Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program
Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) Commissioner Mike Strain, D.V.M., encourages senior citizens 60 years old and older who meet certain income requirements to apply for Louisiana’s Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP). The program, which LDAF administers through a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) grant, provides food benefits to qualified low-income senior citizens to buy locally grown fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs, and honey sold at approved farmers’ markets and roadside stands.
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