Pests in the Urban Landscape

Urban neighborhood and park.

The Pests in the Urban Landscape blog shares the latest resources and information from the UC IPM Urban & Community team to help you sustainably manage pests in the home, garden, and landscape. 

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A hand holding a dark green aquatic plant.
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Invasive Pest Spotlight: Hydrilla

June 5th, 2024
By Lauren Fordyce
Hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata) is an invasive, aquatic weed that can be found in many slow-moving fresh water bodies in California. The plant forms large mats that can crowd out native plants, restrict water flow, and interfere with boating and fishing.
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Black and white striped mosquito on human skin
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Invasive Pest Spotlight: Aedes Mosquitoes

June 4th, 2024
By Lauren Fordyce
Aedes mosquitoes can transmit some of the most debilitating and deadly mosquito-borne pathogens to humans, such as Zika virus, dengue virus, chikungunya virus, and yellow fever virus. One Aedes species is also capable of transmitting heartworm to dogs.
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California Invasive Species Action Week is June 1-9, 2024.
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California Invasive Species Action Week 2024

June 3rd, 2024
By Lauren Fordyce
Help increase public awareness of invasive species and encourage participation in the ongoing fight against invasive species by celebrating California Invasive Species Action Week (CISAW) June 1- 9, 2024.
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A brown rodent sticking its upper body out of a hole in the ground.
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FAQ: Moles, Voles & Gophers

May 28th, 2024
By Lauren Fordyce, Roger A Baldwin
In this blog article we answer some frequently asked questions about moles, voles, and gophers and their management. How can I tell if I have moles, voles, gophers, or something else? Moles: look for circular or volcano-shaped mounds with the plug in the middle, or a plug may not be apparent.
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A silver, stainless steel pail with a handle and lid sitting on a kitchen counter.
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Maggots in your food waste bin?

May 21st, 2024
By Lauren Fordyce
Indoor food waste bins (also known as kitchen bins or compost bins) have become a popular addition to Californian homes. They are a great way to collect food scraps and divert food waste from landfills, but they can sometimes attract pest insects like maggots, ants, and fruit flies.
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