Recent surveying suggests that farmers and their advisors are interested in receiving short bursts of information via text messaging. We formed the Iowa Pest Alert Network with the goal of providing short, timely insect pest updates to farmers and advisors through text messages. These updates may include:
- Scouting alerts based on pest development or observations in the field
- Pest updates throughout the growing season
- Useful resources for scouting and management
- Alerts about events where insects will be discussed
We plan to begin sending text messages this summer, and we hope to provide 1-2 updates weekly throughout the season.
If you are interested in receiving timely insect pest information straight to your cell phone, sign up for the Iowa Pest Alert Network! Go to https://pestalerts.extension.iastate.edu/ and click the “Sign up for Pest Alert Network” button on the Home page. On the sign-up form, you can choose to sign up for customized updates. Currently, you can choose pests or regions that interest you. If you choose alfalfa weevil (for example), you will receive all updates for alfalfa weevil across the state. If you choose “Central Iowa”, you will receive all pest updates for central Iowa.
Contact us at pestalerts@iastate.edu with any additional questions about the Iowa Pest Alert Network.