Here are some frequent questions we have been receiving and some answers and workshops to help address them coming up in the month of May. All of these workshops will be conducted by extension professors and specialists so if you have any questions in these areas or want to increase your knowledge I recommend you call and reserve a spot.

Q: How can I stop the weeds from spreading in my pond?

A: This is a tough call to answer because there are so many aquatic weeds prevalent right now. So far this year I have been on visits to see problems with duckweed, alligator weed, water primrose, hydrilla, algae and others. All the weeds have different control methods from mechanical controls like chemicals to biological controls like grass carp. First you must be able to identify what weed you have.

Calls have also come in on when to stock your pond and with what. This depends on what you currently have in your pond and what you want in it. By taking a simple seine sample you can determine a population sample and make much more accurate changes accordingly.

On Wednesday, May 5 starting 9 a.m., we will offer a pond management class here at the Adams County Extension Office. We will discuss identifying and controlling all types of aquatic vegetation. We will discuss proper pond construction and maintenance including fertilization and liming. You will learn how to properly stock a pond using the correct species and stocking rates. Then we will travel to two ponds. At one we will teach how to conduct a population sample using a seine net and discuss harvesting practice to reach your desired goals. Then at the second pond we will see extensive aquatic weed intrusion and give practical weed control strategies.

Q: How can I tell if I have termites?

A: If you are one of the many callers concerned about termites damaging your home or place of business this is a real possibility. Eastern subterranean termites occur naturally in woods and landscapes throughout the state and non-native Formosan termites are well established in the southern portion of the state and are gradually moving northward. Homes and buildings that are not properly protected from termites are at risk of being damaged and repair bills can be costly, ranging into the tens of thousands of dollars.

Learn how to protect your property from these damaging insect pests by attending “How to Protect Your Home From Termites” here at the Adams County Extension Office on Thursday, May 6 at 5:30 p.m. Dr. Blake Layton, professor from the Department of Entomology at Mississippi State University will conduct the training.

Q. When should I thin my pine trees?

There are several factors to consider when thinning pine trees and I am certainly no expert in this area. Therefore, the MSU Extension Service will be conducting a workshop for thinning older pines for quality and bark beetle management on Thursday, May 6 at 8:30 a.m. at Buffalo Wood Land & Timber Pine Plantation in Centerville. The workshop will teach how to use diameter, height, basal area, growth rate and other measurements to determine when thinning thresholds have been meet. This data can also be used to improve tree health and reduce bark beetle attacks. Call the Wilkinson County Extension office for more info at 601-888-3211.

David Carter is the director of the Adams County Extension Service. He can be reached at 601-445-8201.