Pests in the Urban Landscape

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.

A yellow and black striped fly on a green leaf.

IPM Webinars for Summer & Fall

July 11, 2023

By Lauren Fordyce

The Urban & Community IPM Webinar Series has several exciting webinars coming up this summer and fall. These webinars occur on the third Thursday of every month from 12:00 to 1:00pm PDT.

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Numerous yellow and brown termite workers and soldiers.

Cooperative Extension advisor, UC experts tackle ‘nightmare’ termite

July 6, 2023

By Michael Hsu

In the lottery of troublesome termite infestations, Roger, a Rancho Santa Fe homeowner, hit the jackpot (a pseudonym is used to protect his privacy).

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Numerous slender, blackish gray insects congregating on a seed pod.

Invasion of the False Chinch Bug

June 30, 2023

By Lauren Fordyce

The cool, wet spring that California has experienced this year comes with many benefits, but also some drawbacks. For the false chinch bug, a small insect commonly found in grassy or weedy areas, this year's weather may result in a population boom.

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A poster showing Formosan termite swarmers, soldiers, and workers.

Destructive Termite Alert

June 26, 2023

By Lauren Fordyce

The Formosan subterranean termite (FST), Coptotermes formosanus, is a very destructive pest first reported in California in 1992 in La Mesa, San Diego County. FST has since been found in Canyon Lake, Riverside County, Rancho Santa Fe (San Diego County) and Highland Park (Los Angeles County).

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Proactive IPM Programs in Multi-Unit Housing Environments

June 20, 2023

By Andrew M Sutherland

Multi-unit housing (MUH), such as apartment complexes and single-room occupancy (SRO) buildings, can harbor significant infestations of cockroaches, bed bugs, rodents, and other pests.

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