USDA is taking its battle against bad bugs “to the streets.” USDA’s Agriculture Research Service (USDA-ARS) is seeking public input in fighting insect pests, many of whom may, in public opinion, top the lists as public nuisance number one—like bedbugs and mosquitoes.
USDA-ARS wants input as it begins planning and setting research priorities for its veterinary, medical and urban entomology research program. Participate in this war on bugs by visiting our newest USDA “Idea Space” and answer the short questions posted in the space. Your answers to these questions will help us in developing our research priorities in this area for the next five years. This program is responsible for developing more effective means of preventing and curbing insect pests and other “bad bugs” like ticks and mites that affect both animal and human well-being.
Research under this program focuses on eliminating losses to animal production and products caused by insect-transmitted diseases; enhancing animal food product safety and quality, and improving the quality of life for humans by combating these agricultural and urban pests; and increasing the value and competitiveness of U.S. agriculture—helping to ensure that U.S. farmers can meet our nation’s agricultural demand, while being able to participate in global food markets as well.
In this USDA Open Idea Space, you will find four questions listed in the left “IdeaSpace” that we are asking you to answer. Your answers, as well as other comments and ideas you provide about insect pests, will help us determine current research needs important to the American public.
This space will remain open for ideas and comments through March 8, 2013. This research has broad-reaching impact as these pests affects every one of us in one way or another. ARS, USDA’s chief scientific research agency, has been fighting these pests for decades with some very effective results—like developing DEET and other insect repellents to help protect consumers from insect pests—available on the market today.
You can learn more about other research accomplishments in this area by checking out AR magazine November/December 2012 edition, “Keeping Our Troops Safe From Insects.”
Take a stand against nuisance pests by giving us your input today!