Through the use of strings, flags and verbal commands, they will learn quickly to avoid the shock area and to not exceed the limits of the audio warning signal. Other than the cost of keeping the dogs, the on-going maintenance costs for the system are very little. The underground fencing is virtually maintenance-free after the wire is installed and will last 15 to 20 years before needing to be replaced. In addition, the wire is portable, so it can be dug up and moved to a different area. Tree fruit information on the hotline includes pest and beneficial insect development for regions across the state.
Growers are alerted to different pests to scout for at different times during the season.
The hotline also informs growers how to properly use pesticides and includes meeting announcements. According to Carl Felland, former extension entomologist at the Penn State Fruit Research and Extension Center in Biglerville, Pa. updates on the 1-800 number summarize the information provided in the center's newsletter, Fruit Times . The hotline will also contain information from the Pennsylvania Tree Fruit Production Guide, which was recently posted on the center's web site. Pest management specialists from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Penn State's entomology and plant pathology departments, and county offices of Penn State Cooperative Extension contribute their time and expertise to keep the information current and useful. In addition to tree fruit, the hotline contains information on commodities such as sweet corn, potatoes, tomatoes, Christmas trees, ornamental plants as well as scheduled pesticide applicator training sessions.