News Stories - Page 450

Remnants of three September hurricanes that ravaged Florida brought areas in Georgia up to 8 inches of rain and 58 mile-per-hour winds, according to data collected by the University of Georgia.

Urticating caterpillars give you hives. No, really. The technical term for hives is urticaria. And one of the things that can cause it is a caterpillar.

The cicadas soon filling the north Georgia woods with "song" won't quite be old enough to vote in this year's elections. But after spending 17 years maturing underground, they'll be among the oldest living insects in the world.

Lady beetles have long been viewed as good bugs. Most people aren't scared of them, and very few want to kill them with insect spray. But that's quickly changing.

One of the most common questions asked county extension agents is how to grow healthy turf grass under trees. It can be frustrating when you plant over and over and watch the turf get thinner and thinner as the tree canopy thickens.

Extremely moist soils, combined with higher-than-normal river and lake levels, make Georgia primed for major flooding. Adding to the concern, the state is in the midst of hurricane season, prompting emergency management officials and climatology experts to encourage Georgians to make flood preparations before the waters start to rise.

Most people turn to weather reports to help plan their days. If rain is predicted, you take along your umbrella. If a warm, sunny day is expected, you feel safe leaving the umbrella at home. But UGA's weather network provides accurate, local weather data that has many more far-reaching applications.

Treat yourself and your clothes before heading out on a hike, and you won't come home with ticks and Lyme disease.

Mosquitoes and West Nile virus are the hot topics of late, but don't forget to guard against ticks to prevent Lyme disease.