Choctaw County-Alabama Extension

10/15/2026

Wildlife habitat management starts with understanding the land! 🌿 Edge habitat forms where two or more habitat types meet, providing wildlife with access to different sources of food and cover. Learn how managing edge habitat can benefit wildlife and why creating too much edge can sometimes have negative effects.
Read more: https://www.aces.edu/blog/topics/forestry-wildlife/managing-edge-habitat/

10/14/2026

What’s all the buzz about bumble bees?

These pollinators have a special way of collecting pollen. By vibrating muscles in their thorax (the middle section of their body) they shake loose pollen trapped inside flowers. This process is called buzz pollination!

Learn more about this Pollinator of the Month and others on our website or click here: https://www.aces.edu/go/6968

10/14/2026

Fall houseguests aren’t always welcome! As temperatures cool, brown marmorated stink bugs may gather around homes and slip through cracks and openings in search of winter shelter.

Recognizable by their shield-shaped bodies and white bands on their antennae, these insects can become an unwelcome indoor nuisance and release an unpleasant odor when crushed.

Help keep stink bugs outside with a little fall pest-proofing:

Seal cracks and gaps around windows, doors and utility entry points.
Repair torn screens and replace worn weatherstripping.
Install door sweeps on exterior doors.
Keep shrubs trimmed and store firewood at least 20 feet from your home.

Taking these steps now can help keep your home cozy without inviting unwanted guests! Learn more about Stink bugs and other pests and ways to protect your home here: https://www.aces.edu/go/6983

10/13/2026

Eligible non-industrial private forest landowners can now apply for the Southern Pine Beetle Assistance and Prevention Program. Applications will be open until Oct. 22 at 5 p.m.
The program is administered through the Alabama Forestry Commission with temporary grants from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service.
“Periodic southern pine beetle outbreaks in Alabama have resulted in millions of cubic feet of pine timber killed on thousands of acres,” said Drew Metzler, forestry program specialist with the AFC. “The goal of this program is to minimize the risk of southern pine beetle outbreaks by assisting landowners with proactive management practices to improve forest health and lessen the susceptibility of pine stands to southern pine beetle attacks.”
Funds offer a cost-share for commercial or non-commercial thinning of loblolly or shortleaf pine stands, as long as certain conditions are met. The program is intended for prevention practices only and does not include individual tree removal. The maximum reimbursement per landowner is $10,000.
The online application is the first step in determining eligibility for the program. AFC staff will review all applications and contact eligible landowners with further instructions.
Guidelines and eligibility details are available within the application portal. To apply, visit forestry.alabama.gov and click on the link for the Landowner Assistance Application Portal. Then, select 2026 Alabama Southern Pine Beetle Prevention Program. Applicants will be asked to login. To receive reimbursement, eligible applicants also must be enrolled as a vendor with the state of Alabama using the STAARS Vendor Self Service website.

10/13/2026

Do you fish in the Valley Creek watershed? We want to hear from you!

Anglers are invited to join us on October 29 at the Bessemer Recreation Center for a community workshop as part of an EPA-funded project led by Auburn University.

We're working with anglers and local communities to better understand aquatic litter challenges and identify strategies to help keep our waterways clean and healthy. Whether you fish occasionally or spend every chance you get on the water, your experiences and perspectives can help inform future solutions and outreach efforts.

RSVP by October 22 with this link https://aub.ie/Valley Creek

Stay tuned for additional workshop opportunities this fall.

10/13/2026

Plant now for homegrown flavor later!
October and November are the best months to plant garlic in Alabama. In south Alabama, the planting season can extend through February.

Ready to get growing?
Choose a sunny spot with well-drained soil enriched with organic matter.
Separate the bulb into individual cloves.
Plant cloves pointed end up, about 1 inch deep and 4 to 6 inches apart.
Choose a spot where onions or other related plants haven’t previously grown.

Fall-planted garlic is usually ready to harvest in late May or early June. A little planting now gives you something delicious to look forward to!

Find more growing tips here: https://www.aces.edu/go/5532

10/12/2026

10/10/2026

Small w**d, big spreading potential.

Chamber bitter (Phyllanthus urinaria) grows throughout Alabama, appearing in summer and often sticking around until frost. You may find it in garden beds, nursery pots, sidewalk cracks and gravel driveways.

Look for small, oblong leaves arranged along yellow-green or reddish stems. A helpful identification clue? Tiny, round fruits growing beneath the leafy stems.

Chamber bitter produces many seeds, allowing it to spread and compete with nearby plants. Help prevent its spread by removing it before it goes to seed and checking nursery pots before purchasing or planting.

Join the 2026 Year of Alabama Invasive Plants Project to sharpen your identification skills and take action. Learn more and take the pledge through the Links section on our page.

10/09/2026

Prepare now for safe cleanup after the storm. Before tackling damaged trees or fallen limbs, review Alabama Extension’s guidance on electrical hazards, chainsaw safety, and when to call a professional.

Treat all downed power lines as live. Never touch or attempt to remove trees or branches contacting utility lines.

Read the Post-Storm Landscape Safety guide: https://www.aces.edu/go/6979

For additional tree safety resources, watch Alabama Extension’s Green Up Alabama YouTube playlist: https://www.aces.edu/go/6980

Review these resources now, and keep them handy for cleanup after the storm.

10/09/2026

Looking for new ways to spend time with your family this fall? Look no further!

Whether you want to enjoy the outdoors and fall foliage or have some fun at home, there are plenty of ways to spend time together!

Try these fall family activities:
🍎 Go apple picking
🔥 Have a bonfire & roast marshmallows
⛺ Have a backyard campout
🥾 Hike or bike a local trail
🚗 Take a scenic drive through the countryside
🎃 Carve, paint or decorate pumpkins
🥏 Play ultimate frisbee or kickball
🎬 Have a movie or board game night

What’s your favorite fall activity to do with your family? Tell us in the comments!