What bugs/diseases/critters have ya'll seen that weren't around 30-40 years ago?

[paulsharvey]

On invasives, and FLa specifically, one big issue on control (not eradication), access and hunting. It's all good to say exotics arent game, and no season, no bag limits, any means of take (assuming there is sport or meat or hide value), but access... WMAs have pretty restricted dates, private is fine, but private is limited.

Hogs, ive said it before, everyone complains and birches about hogs, Right upto the point you mention taking some out, then they change the subject. Sure, some farms do absolutely want help, but in my experience most dont want the help. Almost like they want to complain, but not go so far as doing something.

Case in point, there is a large wet pond, for water treatment, from storm water; contractor gets a flat annual fee to maintain, not just mow, but maintain. He is sick of hog damage (that they have to fix out if their annual lump sum) and one of his lead men ask, can we just shoot them on the weekend. Nope, government property. So...

 

[paulsharvey]

I mean, I'd go shoot some monkeys in Ocala National Forest, invasive, disease carrying, and nuisance animal; not do can't that. (Im thinking #6, full choke, high velocity, 12 ga). Not any use for them, but I think it would be like extreme squirrel hunting. They almost all have herpes, and I aint eating those nasty dang creatures. I wouldn't do it with almost anything else, but monkeys, id shoot and let lie in the woods...

No Tegu around here yet, but those, 22 Shorts, out of the Henry, sounds like a lot of fun. No iguanas this far north, but sounds a lot like squirrel hunting, with more unique game species.

Not big on pythons, I want to be able to see them....

 

[paulsharvey]

Im not blaming private land folks; but when just pointing out if 90% of land in the state is essentially closed to hunting these invasives, they will/do thrive. Even hunt clubs, most people arent serious enough about small game to drive an hour or 2 or 3 to go shot a dozen lizards, snakes, or even hogs/coyotes.

Honestly, someone asks me, (i don't have anything exotic), I would say no, I'd rather shoot them myself; so again, I can't blame others for the same thing as I would do.

 

[1Mech]

The citrus thing; im surprised there isn't more talk, the industry is likely to be completely dead in FL in 10 years.View attachment 4080420

That decline in citrus in Florida is partially due to that invasive species known as a Yankee! So many former citrus groves are now growing houses and condos!

 

[1Mech]

I don't know of any new type varmints in my area, but I have noticed in the past few years, I have not seen any mockingbirds. They used to sit on top of utility poles in the area and sing, sing and sing some more. I miss them!

 

[RayIN]

Watched some video clips of fish jumping in the boats. I had always though they were a type of shad. We don't have that problem here or never heard anyone mention it. I'd suspect though its coming...

Years ago we used to catch them and plow them under in the garden space each fall/winter. It took about a pickup bed full to cover the space.
Since they were under about 6" dirt, there was no odor.

 

[WinterDeere]

That decline in citrus in Florida is partially due to that invasive species known as a Yankee! So many former citrus groves are now growing houses and condos!

Partly true. But I thought even more residents of Georgia up thru Virginia were moving to Florida, than those of us from the northeast.

 

[paulsharvey]

That decline in citrus in Florida is partially due to that invasive species known as a Yankee! So many former citrus groves are now growing houses and condos!

Like everything, its multiple reasons. Housing, greening, competition from Asia, weather ect. Heck, grove owners age. It's one thing to replant when you're 45, another when you're 70.

 

[DarkBlack]

Asiatic(oriental) bittersweet. It’s taking over NH. It’s a nasty vine that spreads everywhere and anywhere, with connected underground roots, and overgrows everything, including strangling and killing large trees
First noticed it a few years ago.
It’s about impossible to eradicate, at this point. Lots of people don’t even know they should kill it, and they let it grow, and go to seed.
The population explosion just started a few years ago