University of Maine Cooperative Extension Penobscot County

08/20/2026

Spotted Wing Drosophila Update

Spotted Wing Drosophila Update 🫐

Spotted wing drosophila (SWD) numbers remain relatively low at most UMaine Extension monitoring sites, but activity is increasing in some locations. One trap in Bowdoinham saw a significant jump in fly numbers, and larvae have been found at low levels in raspberry and highbush blueberry samples from five monitoring sites.

For growers still harvesting berries, regular monitoring and management remain important. Keep an eye on trap counts, check harvested fruit for larvae and remove overripe fruit from fields when possible. UMaine Extension recommends maintaining a regular spray schedule for ripening fruit and tightening the interval if larvae are detected.

Populations are expected to increase as more fruit becomes available, so staying ahead of SWD will be important for the remainder of the season.

👉 Read the alert here: https://extension.umaine.edu/highmoor/2026/08/14/spotted-wing-drosophila-alert-august-14-2026/

08/20/2026

A Garden That’s for the Pollinators!

A Garden That’s for the Pollinators! 🌼

Campus and Community Garden has officially been certified as a Pollinator-Friendly Garden through University of Maine Cooperative Extension!

The certification recognizes gardens that provide the food, water, shelter and habitat pollinators need throughout the growing season while incorporating practices such as native plantings and reduced pesticide use. The UMF garden’s certification was spearheaded by student garden worker Emma Towers, with support from fellow students, community volunteers and UMaine Extension horticulture professionals.

It’s a great example of how gardens of all kinds can make a difference for Maine’s pollinators—and individuals, schools and businesses can work toward certification, too!

🐝 Interested in making your own space more pollinator-friendly? Learn about UMaine Extension’s Pollinator-Friendly Garden Certification Program, https://extension.umaine.edu/gardening/pollinator/certification/

08/20/2026

Pesto plans?

Pesto plans? We’ve got tons of basil available at the farm stand tonight along with lots of other veggies and some yummy taste tests. See you 4:30-6:30pm (8/18)

08/14/2026

Looking to Make Your Yard Less Inviting to Ticks? 🌿

Looking to Make Your Yard Less Inviting to Ticks? 🌿

UMaine Extension’s Griffin Dill, manager of the Tick Lab, was recently featured in The State sharing ways homeowners can reduce tick habitat around their homes and minimize exposure to ticks and tick-borne diseases.

“Reducing ticks’ habitat around your home is important to minimizing exposure to the pests and diseases,” Dill said.

From managing vegetation to creating a less hospitable environment for ticks, a few changes around your property can help reduce your risk while enjoying time outdoors.

👉 Learn more about ticks, prevention and research from the UMaine Extension Tick Lab, https://umaine.edu/news/2026/08/the-state-features-umaine-extension-expert-on-keeping-ticks-out-of-yards/

08/14/2026

08/13/2026

New! Learn Tractor Safety at Your Own Pace

New! Learn Tractor Safety at Your Own Pace 🚜

UMaine Extension has launched Tractor Safety: Foundations, a new self-paced online course designed to help beginning tractor operators—both youth and adults—build the knowledge and skills needed to work around tractors and agricultural equipment more safely and confidently.

Through videos, interactive activities, virtual demonstrations and immersive 360° learning experiences, participants will explore:

Safe tractor operation and pre-operation inspections
Hazard recognition and emergency preparedness
Tractor components and equipment connections
Practical strategies for reducing risk and preventing injuries

Participants who successfully complete the course will also earn a UMaine Extension Tractor Safety: Foundations micro-badge, a digital credential that can be shared with employers, on LinkedIn, resumes and more.

The online format makes tractor safety education more accessible across Maine and can also serve as the first step toward additional hands-on training and certification.

🚜 Learn more and enroll in Tractor Safety: Foundations: https://discover.maine.edu/product?catalog=Tractor_Safety_Foundations

08/12/2026

Spotted Wing Drosophila Update 🫐

Spotted wing drosophila (SWD) numbers remained relatively stable and low at UMaine Extension monitoring sites, but larvae have now been found in raspberry and highbush blueberry samples from five locations.

For berry growers, now is an important time to stay on top of monitoring and management. Frequent harvesting and removing overripe or fallen fruit can help reduce SWD populations, while keeping plantings free of excess weeds and growth improves airflow and creates less favorable conditions for the flies.

Stay informed as berry season continues with the latest monitoring results and management recommendations from UMaine Extension at Highmoor Farm.

Read the latest alert, https://extension.umaine.edu/highmoor/2026/08/06/spotted-wing-drosophila-alert-august-7-2026/

08/11/2026

We've been seeing so many young entrepreneurs running lemonade stands this summer—and we love it! 🍋

Whether you're supporting a neighborhood stand or making a pitcher at home, there's nothing quite like an ice-cold glass of lemonade on a warm Maine day.

Looking to mix up your next batch? Try UMaine Extension's Honey-Sweetened Lemonade! This refreshing recipe uses just three simple ingredients—water, lemon juice, and honey—and can be customized with fresh mint or your favorite seasonal berries like strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries.

🍓🍯 Grab the recipe: https://extension.umaine.edu/food-health/2021/07/05/mainely-dish-recipe-video-honey-sweetened-lemonade/