Texas Department of Agriculture Latest News: Red Flour Beetle Infestation In Hockley County

Key Takeaways:

Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller announces TDA collaboration with city officials to support Hockley County residents against the red flour beetle resurgence.
Initial reports of the infestation in Levelland date back to August 2023, with efforts to control the situation having varying degrees of success.
With the approach of warmer temperatures, TDA implements pest management strategies to prevent further spread.
The city previously initiated targeted spraying methods, faced with challenges due to specific weather conditions required for effectiveness.
TDA partners with the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service to deploy traps, aiming for comprehensive monitoring and mitigation efforts starting the week of February 12th.

Collaborative Effort Against Pest Invasion

The Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA), under the guidance of Commissioner Sid Miller, is taking decisive action alongside city officials to address the resurgence of the red flour beetle in Levelland, Hockley County. Initially reported in August 2023, the infestation posed a significant challenge, which was partially mitigated during cooler weather. However, the looming warmer temperatures necessitate renewed efforts to control the pest effectively.

Strategic Measures and Challenges

In response to the infestation, the city had previously undertaken targeted spraying efforts, which proved to be logistically challenging. “The spraying operations required specific weather conditions—above 50 degrees and below 10 miles per hour wind speed, conditions seldom met in West Texas,” Commissioner Miller explained. Additionally, the effectiveness of the pesticide spray is contingent on direct contact with the beetles, prompting the need for precise monitoring.

Deployment of Traps and Monitoring

To enhance the effectiveness of their strategy, TDA, in partnership with the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, is set to deploy traps targeting the most affected regions. “These traps will be monitored weekly, starting the week of February 12th, to ensure we are accurately targeting and mitigating the infestation,” Miller stated. This methodical approach aims to provide a clear assessment of the infestation’s spread and severity.

Economic Impact and Urgency of Mitigation

Commissioner Miller underscored the critical nature of swiftly addressing the red flour beetle infestation, highlighting its potential to cause substantial economic losses to farmers and food distributors by damaging stored grain supplies. “Protecting the safety and security of our food supply is imperative. It’s crucial we mitigate such infestations efficiently,” Miller emphasized.