Lauderdale County Extension Office

06/23/2026

Cattails have stout stems, broad, linear leaf blades, and the characteristic cigar-like flowering spike, which is dense and brown before erupting into a white, downy mass in the fall.

Many species of fish and wildlife use cattail stands. Red-winged blackbirds, waterfowl, and fish will nest in the stands; beaver and muskrats eat the shoots and roots; and a variety of bird species eat the seeds.

In this aquatic w**d factsheet, we explain more about how to identify the different forms algae can take and how to treat it: https://extension.msstate.edu/publications/cattail-typha-spp

06/18/2026

Chiggers, also known as redbugs, are tiny mites that can cause significant discomfort during the warmer months in Mississippi.

Despite the myths, chiggers aren’t insects, and they definitely don’t burrow into your skin. These tiny critters are actually the larval stage of a mite called Trombicula alfreddugesi. You won’t see them without magnification—they’re about 1/150th of an inch and bright red. These microscopic creatures are most active in overgrown, grassy, or wooded areas.

Chiggers don’t bite in the usual sense. Instead, they attach to your skin and inject a digestive enzyme that breaks down skin cells. The itching is your body’s reaction to the enzymes.

The good news? You can avoid them with a few simple steps:

1. Keep your lawn tidy. Mow regularly and clear out brushy areas where chiggers like to hide.

2. Dress smart. If you’re heading into tall grass or wooded areas, wear long sleeves and long pants; be sure to tuck those pants into your socks. Yes, it’s a fashion crime—but it works.

3. Use bug spray. DEET-based repellants can be used on the skin, while permethrin-based sprays must only be used on clothing. Always follow the label directions when using these products.

4. Shower after being outdoors. A good scrub with soap and water within a few hours of being outside can wash away any hangers-on.

5. Wash your clothes. Toss your clothes straight into the washer and dryer, using the hottest water and heat cycle possible to kill any sneaky hitchhikers.

6. If you’ve already got the itch, the best thing you can do is not scratch. Scratching can lead to infection and make things worse.

7. If you are particularly sensitive to chiggers or have a severe case of bites, consult a physician.



(Magnified view of a chigger mite. Photo: Hansell F. Cross, Georgia State University, Bugwood.org)

06/15/2026

Interested in pickling? Start with Extension! Pickle products are classified based on ingredients and method of preparation. There are four general classes.

1. Brined pickles, also called fermented pickles, go through a curing process of about 3 weeks. Dilled cucumbers and sauerkraut belong in this group. Other vegetables, such as green tomatoes, may also be cured in the same way as cucumbers.

Curing changes cucumber color from a bright green to an olive or yellow-green. The white interior of the fresh cucumber becomes uniformly translucent. A desirable flavor is developed during curing without being excessively sour, salty, or spicy.

Cucumber dills may be flavored with garlic, if desired. The skin of the pickle is tender and firm but not hard, rubbery, or shriveled. The inside is tender and firm, not soft or mushy.

Good sauerkraut (brined cabbage) has a pleasant tart, tangy flavor and is free from any off-flavors or off-odors. It is crisp and creamy-white. The texture is firm, and it has a bright appearance. The shreds are uniformly cut (about the thinness of a dime) and are free of large, coarse pieces of leaves or core.

2. Fresh-pack or quick-process pickles, such as crosscut cucumber slices and whole cucumber dills, sweet gherkins, and dilled green beans, are brined for several hours or overnight, then drained and combined with boiling hot vinegar, spices, and other seasonings. These are quick and easy to prepare.

They have a tart, pungent flavor. Seasonings can be selected to suit your preference. Fresh-pack whole cucumbers are olive green, crisp, tender, and firm.

3. Fruit pickles are usually prepared from whole fruits and simmered in spicy, sweet-sour syrup. They should be bright in color, uniformly sized, and tender and firm without being watery. Pears, peaches, and watermelon rind are prepared this way.

4. Relishes are prepared from fruits and vegetables that are chopped, seasoned, and then cooked to desired consistency. Clear, bright color and uniformity in size of pieces make an attractive product. Relishes include piccalilli, pepper-onion, tomato-apple chutney, tomato-pear chutney, horseradish, and corn relish.

Recipes and techniques can be found in our Complete Guide to Home Canning Extension publication: https://extension.msstate.edu/publications/the-complete-guide-home-canning

06/15/2026

06/15/2026

Today we had the honor of recognizing our former Mississippi Homemakers Volunteers. Their generosity and support of Lauderdale County 4-H has not gone unnoticed.

06/15/2026

Open to youth and adults!! Call (601) 482-9764 for more information.

Join us for Dairy Day on Thursday June 25th! We have so many fun activities planned for all ages!! You will even get the chance to pet a live goat!

Did you know the average person consumes just over 16 gallons of milk per year?

06/12/2026

We love our East Mississippi Master Gardeners!

06/10/2026

Several species of ticks can inhabit home lawns, and some of them have the potential to transmit serious diseases!

Ticks are usually brought into the home lawn aboard pets or other animals. The first step in controlling ticks in the home lawn is to control ticks on any pets that use the area. There are a number of effective treatments that can be used on dogs and cats to control ticks. Consult your local vet about these products.

The second step to control ticks in the home lawn is to limit access of wild animals and stray pets to the lawn area. Fenced lawns tend to have fewer tick problems than unfenced lawns. Obviously, keeping pets penned so that they are unable to roam the woods and collect ticks will help prevent ticks from being brought into the yard.

Keeping vegetation cut low, so people and pets can walk through an area without brushing against tall w**ds and grass blades, also reduces the risk of tick infestation.

When lawns do become infested with ticks, there are several effective spray treatments available.

Granular products are generally less effective than sprays. Concentrate treatments on areas where pets rest, along game trails and areas where wildlife visit, around building perimeters, and on any tall, w**dy vegetation in the area. (Click link below for more info on this.)

Take precautions to reduce the chances of being bitten by ticks. Tuck pant legs into the tops of boots, tuck in shirttails, and use an effective tick repellant. Repellants containing the active ingredient permethrin are especially effective against ticks, but read labels carefully. Repellents containing permethrin may not be applied directly to the skin, but may be applied to clothing only. Repellants containing the active ingredient DEET are also useful against ticks.

Learn more about control methods for ticks and other pests here: https://extension.msstate.edu/publications/control-insect-pests-and-around-the-home-lawn

06/05/2026

06/05/2026

We are thankful for our community partners!