Welcome!

Welcome to the new "Insects in the City" blog for the pest management industry. I'm from Texas, and I work for the Texas AgriLife Extension Service as an entomology specialist, so my perspective is unapologetically Texan. But even though some of our pest management issues are unique to the southwest, I trust the interchange presented here will be of interest to others outside our great state and region.

I've grown up with the computer revolution and am generally comfortable with technology, but I'm learning that in many ways I'm still quite new when it comes to the so-called "Web 2.0". This second (2 point Oh) phase of the Internet, with its online communities and interactive sharing of ideas and information, is still a bit of a wonder to me.

Unlike my kids' generation, who have been described as "digital natives", I don't think of my phone as a text message machine. I also don't carry a Blackberry. I'm a "digital immigrant", still in the process of migrating from the old ways of communicating. I still value one-to-one interaction, seeing another person's face, and listening to how the words are spoken, as well as what is said. Nevertheless, I think there's great value in the instantaneous character of communication with the Internet. I can think of no more powerful way to spread ideas and create dialogue than through the world that opens through the keyboard of my PC.

I hope this blog will help us better interact about current topics in IPM and pesticides. I also hope this might be a place where controversial stuff gets discussed. Things like honesty, integrity, the way we present ourselves as professionals, and how our industry is viewed by the public. Most of all, I hope this site will be a way for me to learn from you.

I invite you to share your comments and experiences. That's the beauty of a blog. If you read a posting that really "rings your bell", please add your thoughts at the end of the posting. Positive or not, I'd like to hear from you. Your comments will be available for others visiting the site to read and, in turn, add their thoughts.

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