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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The black widow spider is the most harmful spider in California. (Photo: Jack Kelly Clark)
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Spider Bites

January 22, 2018
By Anne E Schellman
Unlike mosquitoes, spiders do not seek people in order to bite them. Generally, a spider doesn't try to bite a person unless it has been squeezed, lain on, or similarly provoked to defend itself.
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Rose aphids infesting a blossom. (Photo: Jack Kelly Clark)
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Still Seeing Aphids on Your Plants?

January 17, 2018
By Anne E Schellman
Are you surprised to see aphids on some of your plants this time of year? With the current mild temperatures in California, aphids may continue living and reproducing in some locations this winter, with female adults giving birth to live young every day.
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A small flashlight is used to inspect underneath a kitchen sink for ants and ant entry points. (Photo: Cheryl A. Reynolds)
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Webinar on Healthier Homes and Communities - 01/23

January 11, 2018
By Anne E Schellman
Register for the U.S. EPA Webinar: It Takes an Integrated Pest Management Village - IPM for a Healthier Home and Community Date: Tuesday, January 23, 2018 Time: 2:00 3:00 p.m. ET (11:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m.
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Two redhumped caterpillar larvae on a plum branch. (Photo: Belinda Messenger-Sikes)
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Redhumped Caterpillar Publication Revised

January 9, 2018
By Anne E Schellman
The redhumped caterpillar is a familiar pest on fruit and nut trees such as plum, almond, cherry, and apple, as well as on ornamental trees like liquidambar and birch. It can reach high populations in California's Central Valley, sometimes defoliating entire trees.
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Peach leaves deformed by peach leaf curl. (Photo: Jack Kelly Clark)
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Time to Treat for Peach Leaf Curl?

January 8, 2018
By Anne E Schellman
Peach leaf curl is a disease that affects peach and nectarine trees. Although you may not see symptoms right now in the dormant season in California, it's time to think about treatment, especially if your tree had the disease last year.
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