The OSU IPM staff is busy entering the data from the nearly 1200 Ohio Lady Beetle surveys returned thus far. If you have not returned your survey there is still plenty of time to do so. The response from Ohioans from all over the state wanting to participate in the survey was overwhelming. Over 1500 calls were received.
A preliminary analysis of the data has indicated that the most calls requesting surveys came from Tuscarawas, Pike, Athens and Franklin counties. 66% of the infested homes were light in color, but dark colored houses were infested too. The color of the roof did not matter. Most of the infested homes were either wood or vinyl sided. New houses were just as likely to be attacked as older homes. However, most of the homes over 100 years old had severe infestation problems. It was most common for the houses surrounded by woods in all directions to have the most severe infestation problems. 13% of the respondents reported allergic reactions to the MALB with about half of those reactions confirmed by a doctor. In 44% of the infested homes pesticides were applied with minimal success. A great majority of the survey respondents reported that the MALB were driving them CRAZY!
The OSU IPM Program is committed to finding a solution to this complicated problem. Read on to learn about our next steps.
Now that the OSU IPM program has learned more about the nature of the problem with the multicolored Asian lady beetle (MALB) in Ohio, we are planning our next move. Finding the best way to keep the MALB out of people's homes will take time and cooperation from everyone affected by the problem.
The OSU IPM program has scheduled a series of town meetings in September in four locations throughout the area of the state most affected by the MALB. The town meetings are designed to present what is know about the biology and ecology of the MALB, the results from the Ohio Lady Beetle Survey and suggested management techniques that will be used in a research project sponsored by the IPM program. Since a definitive answer on how best to keep the MALB out of your home has not been found. The OSU IPM Program plans to undertake a research project this fall to test various management protocols that have shown they might be useful against the MALB. These management protocols will be presented at the town meetings and people will be asked to choose the one they would like to employ at their home this fall as part of the research project. Of course the management techniques can be used without participating in the research effort. However, the more data we can collect, the better our results will be.
Mark your calendars now and plan to attend one of the meetings listed below. If you have any questions or need more complete directions to a meeting site please call the Ohio Lady Beetle Hotline (800-678-6412) and leave your name, request and how we should contact you. Maps showing the location of the town meetings will also be posted on the OSU IPM Program web site at www. ag.ohio-state.edu/~ipm/. Thank you for your interest and participation.
Town Meeting Schedule
September 6, 7-9 PM
Tuscarawas County
Jim's Place (annex of the First United Methodist Church),
228 W. High St.,
New Philadelphia
Click to see map of meeting location
September 13, 7-9 PM
Franklin County
Kottman Hall, Room 103
The Ohio State University,
2021 Coffey Road
Columbus
(NO PERMITS WILL BE REQUIRED TO PARK ON CAMPUS)
Click to see map of meeting location
September 24, 7-9 PM
Athens County
Athens City Recreation Center, 701 E. State St.
Athens
Click to see map of meeting location
September 25, 7-9 PM
Pike County
Verne Riffe Vocational School, 175 Beaver Creek Road,
Piketon
Click to see map of meeting location
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