Home Resources
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Microplastics represent an emerging environmental issue stemming from the widespread use, disposal, and degradation of plastic materials. Found globally across oceans, freshwater systems, drinking water sources, and bottled beverages, these contaminants originate from both the breakdown of larger plastic items and the direct release of manufactured small particles. This expert resource provides science-based information to address general concerns and questions residents have about microplastics in general, their existence in our drinking water, human exposure to and potential health consequences of microplastics, and their removal from water.
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B 1428-1
Building a Home Emergency Kit
This is a basic list of supplies you should have ready for emergencies. Keep the items you will most likely need during an evacuation in an easy-to-carry, waterproof container. Be mindful that this is a basic list of supplies. A more comprehensive list can be found in the Home Emergency Management Guide.
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This resource gives basic biology and description, with images, of the spider’s immature and adult forms, along with recommendations for managing them around the home. The Joro spider is a native of Japan and East Asia that was first documented in the United States in 2014 in northeast Georgia. The native range of these spiders in Asia extends from southeast Asia northward through a swath of eastern China, the Korean peninsula, and all but the northernmost island of Japan, and westward to India and the foothills of the Himalayas. Given that distribution, there seems to be no obstacle to the Joro eventually expanding its range to include all of Georgia, the Southeast, and most of the rest of the eastern U.S. as well.
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C 1237
Bagworms in Urban Landscapes
An introduction to bagworms, along with their biology, how they damage landscapes, and management options.
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Plant diseases can be a significant problem in home gardens. Most vegetables are susceptible to a number of diseases. Home gardeners can reduce the occurrence of many diseases with sound cultural practices. This publication discusses managing diseases in the home vegetable garden.
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This resource provides concise and accurate information describing mosquito biology and behavior, including the history of mosquitoes in Georgia and ways to prevent mosquito-borne diseases. Mosquitoes affect a large segment of the public, and mosquito control is most efficiently conducted in an integrated manner. This information will help homeowners address mosquito problems on their own property and provide insight into the intricacies of larger, community-based control programs.
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This circular provides a basic summary of the best management practices of integrated mosquito management. These practices begin with education and communication and progress through surveillance, source reduction, larviciding, and adulticiding. The circular presents guidelines that communities can use to help develop the most effective mosquito management program possible with the resources available. Using these practices will help to minimize pesticide exposure to pollinators and other non-target pests.
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This publication explains how to identify and remove hydrogen sulfide and sulfate from household water.
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C 858-12
Arsenic in Your Water
Arsenic in your drinking water poses a threat to your health. Since private systems are more susceptible to arsenic than public water systems, private well owners should take steps to guard their health. Measures include routine water supply testing and wellhead maintenance and protection.
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