As the ant and termite swarm season begins, beware of this species.

Formosan subterranean termite — first described in Taiwan in the early 1900s — is the most widely distributed and economically important wood-destroying insect.

In New Orleans, where this termite species was introduced in the 1950s, the annual control and repair costs due to FST are estimated at $300 million.

A single FST colony may contain several million termites (versus several hundred thousand termites for native subterranean termite species) that forage up to 300 feet in soil.

Because of its population size and foraging range, FST colonies' presence pose serious threats to nearby structures. The FST, which generally invades structures from the ground, commonly enters through expansion joints, cracks and utility conduits in slabs. Any wood-to-ground contact is an inviting entrance for FST infestations.

Studies also found that the termite attacks many species of living plants. It attacks structural lumbers and living plants because they are cellulose sources.

However, this termite is also known to attack non-cellulose materials such as plaster, plastic, asphalt and thin sheets of soft metal (lead or copper) in search of food and moisture.

The combination of water and wood or other cellulose materials provides attractive conditions for the termite. Leaky plumbing, air conditioning condensate and any portion of the building that may collect excessive amounts of moisture should be corrected to maintain an environment less attractive to the termite.

Conventional method for control of subterranean termites, including the FST, is to place a chemical barrier between termites and the structure.

Because of an FST colony's large size, application of soil termiticide beneath a structure may not affect the overall population. Bait stations containing a monitoring device can be first installed in soil surrounding a home.

When termites are found in the station, the monitoring device is replaced with a tube containing pesticide bait. Termites feeding in the stations then carry baits to other colony members, leading to the entire colony population's demise. Trained pest control professionals should apply all baits.

Efficacy and claims of these commercial bait products may differ from one another. Read the fine print and ask questions. Many new Florida residents are unfamiliar with homeowner insurance related to Formosan termite damage.

 Sheila Dunning is a Commercial Horticulture Extension agent at the Okaloosa County Extension office in Crestview.

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LEARN MORE

Okaloosa, Santa Rosa and Escambia counties are known hot spots for Formosan subterranean termites. Florida’s temperate climate provides a perfect environment for termites, but signs of structural damage to a home may go undetected for long periods.

Learn more about the pest and how you can protect your home during a public meeting 5:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 15 at Niceville Community Center, 204 Partin Drive, Niceville. Contact Sheila Dunning, sdunning@ufl.edu or 689-5850, to register.

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UPCOMING

'CONTROLLING TOMATO PESTS IN THE HOME GARDEN' SEMINAR: 9 a.m. to noon, April 2,  Okaloosa County Extension Office, 3098 Airport Road, Crestview. Register: 689-5850.

LAWN CARE IN NORTHWEST FLORIDA SEMINAR: 10:30 a.m. April 7, Crestview Public Library, 1445 Commerce Drive, Crestview. Coffee and cookies served starting at 10 a.m. 682-4432 or  689-5850.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: This pest can cause plenty of damage in Northwest Florida

CRESTVIEW — Myke V (last name, Van Ness) and Jarrod Rosenstock, a Destin duo who make up The Good Lookings, will perform around 3:20 p.m. March 28 at the Triple B Cookoff on Main Street.

Myke V, vocalist and guitarist, and Jarrod, vocalist, drummer and cajon player (a sort of drum box) —have played gigs for almost a year. They met when Myke hosted an open mic event at Funky Blues Shack in Destin. "Jarrod would come up there and play…he got a gig one Saturday night during the summer and asked if I'd like to come up and play." The gig was at a venue that normally takes bigger bands, and The Good Lookings sounds "bigger" than a duo, Myke said.

Their repertoire includes a mix of original songs, hits from the  1980's and 90's, and classics from Billy Joel and the Jackson 5.

Q&A

The Good Lookings is a good band name, but what other names did you consider?

"Bag of Hats or 6% Clown Parts. The Good Lookings is a terrible name, but my mom likes it," Myke said.

What's your favorite song to perform?

We agree on this one. While our originals are a lot of fun, and we're very proud of them, we really like to play "Gray Street" by Dave Matthews. Also, typically we'll be asked at a show to play a song we don't know but we'll try to pull it off. Those can get pretty fun.

Where's your favorite place to perform?

Any place that has an enthusiastic audience that appreciates live music. We love crowd interaction 🙂 

Beach or brew hall?

Brew hall. Definitely, brew hall.

If you've "been there, done that, and got the T-shirt," what would your T-shirt say?

"It's called a BLINKER!" (viral photo of a mad dog behind the wheel of a car)

What do you guys do off stage?

Go watch others perform. We really love live music, and are grateful to be a part of this robust musical community. 

So, what's on your barbecue grill?

Jarrod: Steak!

Myke: Chicken and cheese brats, usually. This spring, I'll be practicing my grilled salmon, though.

MORE INFORMATION

See The Good Lookings' photos, videos and scheduled bookings at www.facebook.com/thegoodlookingsband and www.reverbnation.com/thegoodlookings.

Editorial Assistant Renee Bell, follow her on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Triple B: Destin band trades brew halls for downtown this weekend

CRESTVIEW — To businessmen like Dale Henderson, a Lee Buick/GMC sales executive, the Triple B Cookoff is more than downtown’s premier spring festival.

It’s a giant sales opportunity.

For five or six years, the dealership has exhibited vehicles at the festival, and each year it’s sold every one of them. At last year’s festival, Lee displayed — and sold — eight cars and trucks.

The cookoff offers high visibility for the dealer that can't be beaten, Henderson said.

“You have 10- or 12,000 people walking by,” he said. “It’s hard to get 10- or 12,000 people walking into the dealership.”

People may not buy a new car or truck on the spot, but for two — and sometimes more — weeks after the Triple B, customers continue to walk into the State Road 85 dealership and inquire about vehicles they saw on display.

“They would come in and say they saw it at the festival,” Henderson said. “One guy came in and asked to see the truck he wanted but we’d already sold it. But he bought a similar one.”

‘PRETTY AWESOME’ SALES OPPORTUNITY

Nothing beats a potential customer who's at the cookoff, enjoying the food and already in a good mood, Henderson said.

“It’s better than seeing a picture on a piece of paper,” he said. “When they can see it (a vehicle) and touch it and sit inside of it and see the features and what it does, it makes it pretty awesome.”

Originally Henderson began as a barbecue judge, but soon he discovered there were so many people interested in his vehicles he had to devote more time to car sales.

“We thought during the judging we’d have a lot of people interested about the vehicles,” he said. “I was a judge for two years, but I had to stop because we had so many people interested in the cars.”

Being a festival sponsor turned out to be a shrewd business move as well as a good way to foster community relations, Henderson said.

“To get your word out and get your face out there and push your product out there, it helps tremendously,” he said. “Every vehicle we’ve ever had there we sold.”

Email News Bulletin Staff Writer Brian Hughes, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524. 

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Triple B: Cookoff is a 12,000-person showroom for this Crestview car dealership

CRESTVIEW — The Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce's Triple B Cook-off, founded in 2001, started as part of the former Family Fun Day festival in Old Spanish Trail Park.

Organizers almost canceled it after low attendance in its second year, but a large turnout for the Spanish Trail Cruisers Club's downtown 2002 car show spurred organizers to move the barbecue festival's venue.

Since then, Triple B has been a cooperative effort between the chamber of commerce and the Main Street Crestview Association, with the city's assistance.

This year's festival is from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. March 28 on Main Street.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Triple B: Almost canceled event now city's largest attraction

CRESTVIEW — Guitarist Brandon Day and singer Shea Bryant, who've made music together for four years, will perform a 2 p.m. set during the Triple B Cookoff March 28 on Main Street.

Day, who also performs with Superface, is a Lexington, Ky., transplant who enjoys everything from rock and roll to blues, bluegrass and jazz — "I love to dabble in all guitar-friendly styles," he says.

Bryant, a Sylacauga, Ala., native and off-and-on Fort Walton Beach resident, loves 1970s and '80s rock, blues and some country and grunge.

Together, they plan to perform 1980s country, rock and oldies during the Triple B Cookoff.

Q&A

How did you two meet?

SHEA: We met at a bar (where) he was playing. I got up and sang "Strawberry Wine," and not long after that we started singing together.

BRANDON: I have been a working musician for over 20 years. I met Shea at one of my gigs almost 4 years ago.

 What's the most fun you've had on stage?

SHEA: I was able to sing with Brandon's band, Superface, about a month ago at Helen Back in Crestview and I had so much fun. I've never sang with a full band before, so it was very exciting.

BRANDON:  I have been playing (professional gigs)  for over 20 years and love every minute of every gig I have ever been fortunate enough to play.

What's your musical instrument of choice?

SHEA: I don't play guitar or bass, so the tambourine would be my instrument of choice. I also enjoy the chicken shake (an egg-shaped rattle).

BRANDON: Guitar has always been my favorite instrument, because in my opinion it is the easiest instrument to demonstrate emotion with.

What do you like to do off stage?

SHEA: I love to watch movies… Red Box, the theater and at home. I'm addicted to Candy Crush (the Facebook game), so I play that all the time, along with several other games. I love to get outdoors as often as possible as well. 

BRANDON: I enjoy traveling, spending time with family, friends and my dogs.

What's your crowd-pleasing 'go-to' song?

SHEA: We have a few that usually bring the house down. "Brand New Key" by Melanie; "Stop Dragging My Heart Around" by Tom Petty, featuring Stevie Nicks; and "Boondocks" by Little Big Town.

BRANDON: So many to choose from, but I love to play songs that I have written because it seems more natural to put a point across when (I) have lived it and written it. It just feels more personal.

So when you're cooking, what's on your barbecue grill?

SHEA: Our barbecue grill hasn't been used in quite a while, but when I do use the grill, I prefer charcoal and to smoke the food with hickory. Such a great flavor.

My favorite dish to cook, as well as Brandon's favorite to eat, is roasted red pepper chicken fettuccini alfredo. I also like to cook soup. Potato, and soup a la cabinet, as I call it, which is a soup with whatever I can find in the cabinets!

BRANDON: Chicken, chicken, chicken!

MORE INFORMATION:

For videos of Shea Bryant and Brandon Day performing, see:

"Gimme Back My Heart": http://bit.ly/1xvjUBC

Jimi Hendrix to Led Zeppelin montage: http://bit.ly/1HXuCHf

"Sleepwalk": http://bit.ly/1xbK9Cy

Email Editorial Assistant Renee Bell, follow her on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Triple B: FWB couple to perform country, rock and oldies

Welcome to the city of Crestview and the exciting Triple B Festival! (It's scheduled for 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, March 28 on Main Street in Crestview.)

You will find the tastiest barbecue here, accompanied by outstanding bluegrass music and the best of the Blackwater River — all in our historic downtown district on Crestview's Main Street.

Enjoy the day with your family, try the many varieties of barbecue, and don't be afraid to tap your toes to America's most authentic music.

Our hospitality is second to none, and we are sure you will be planning another visit real soon to the Hub City of Northwest Florida.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Triple B: Crestview mayor welcomes cookoff attendees

The Okaloosa Sound — hitting the south stage at 1:30 p.m. Saturday — blends vocals, drums, bass and guitar for covers and originals, everything from fun to soul.

Members are vocalists Stephanie Soul; Josh Carter, guitar and bass; Adriel Wilson, drums; John White on keyboards, bass and vocals; Joseph Pizzaloto, guitar and bass; and Max Kipnis, guitar, bass and vocals.

Though unscheduled, as of this writing, the following groups also have confirmed performances:

•Crestview's Corey Black, Black and Co.:  Expect a "mesmerizing, mind-boggling melange of mystery — it's magic!"

•Crestview duo Blackbird: Fresh voices featuring harmonious blends, soulful sound and eclectic style

•Gordon Martial Arts students and their instructors will give demonstrations.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Triple B: The Okaloosa Sound, locals and more to entertain festival goers

You're invited to the biggest event in Crestview: the Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce’s Triple B Cookoff! (It's scheduled for 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, March 28 on Main Street in Crestview.) 

This family-oriented, all-day event draws approximately 12,000 people to Main Street.  There will be numerous vendors and competitors there with their great barbecue, great music and fun for the family! 

I would like to thank the chamber members, staff, sponsors and partners that are committed to being part of this great event for our community to enjoy; and I hope to see you there!

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Triple B: Invitation to Crestview's biggest event

CRESTVIEW — The “bluegrass” B in the Triple B Cookoff's name is safe, but these days, it might also stand for simply “bands."

Triple B organizers want live performances that appeal to more attendees. And, as the event continues to grow and draw attendees from beyond Crestview and Okaloosa County, “we wanted to reach out to a broader audience,” Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce executive assistant Jennifer Pierson said.

REVFEST INSPIRATION

Pierson, who worked on festival budgeting and entertainment scheduling, said some of bluegrass bands were beyond the chamber’s Triple B budget.

However, having worked with RevFest — the Fort Walton Beach regional art and music festival — she was familiar with other bands suitable for Crestview’s cookoff, and saw a way to kick up the event’s entertainment without breaking the bank.

The result is exciting, Triple B Chairman Derek Lott said.

“We’ve got some real good bands this year,” he said. “The music talent part is great. They’re pretty big bands along the coast.”

BLUEGRASS ROOTS

While new bands to the Florida Lottery stage bring what Pierson describes as “jam-funk” and a “modernized ‘50s and ‘60s kind of sound," the event still honors its bluegrass roots.

Dismal Creek, of Santa Rosa Beach, boasts “an unlimited arsenal of bluegrass traditionals and old-time favorites,” the band's Facebook page states.

Vocalist and guitarist Jim Hall, banjoist Rick Stanfield, mandolin player and vocalist Neil Sebree, and upright bass player and vocalist Dub Bryant say their influences include, among others, Del McCoury, Hot Rize, Seldom Scene, Bill Monroe and Capt. John Hartford.

Their interests always include playing music almost everywhere imaginable: “front yard picking, backyard pickin’, in-house picking, basement picking, mountain top picking, desert picking, field picking, boat picking, steam powered pickin’, river pickin’, and car pickin’,” their Facebook page states.

SOUTH STAGE

Music bookends the Triple B, with the Florida Lottery Stage set up across from the Okaloosa County Veterans Memorial and the South Stage between Coney Island and Casbah Coffee Company on Main Street.

That stage traditionally features local acts, including rising stars, duos, gospel quartets and student groups. Its entertainment is organized by the chamber’s Arts and Culture Committee with the local Friends of the Arts' assistance.

Pierson said "there’s a little bit of everything for everybody."

“We like the idea of having more than bluegrass,” Lott said. “You may not like what I like and I may not like what you like, but at the end of the day, there’s lots of good music and people walking up and down the street enjoying it.”

ONLINE

For more on Dismal Creek, see http://dismalcreek.com, Facebook.com/dismalcreek and www.reverbnation.com/q/5og7gw.

Email News Bulletin Staff Writer Brian Hughes, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.                 

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Triple B: Diverse entertainment styles to enjoy at this year’s barbecue festival