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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Tall, green stalks of giant reed towering over two humans standing in front.
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Keep Invasive Plants Out!

June 11, 2025
By Lindsey Hack
The golden flowers of French broom covering hillsides and the tall, striking stalks of pampasgrass stand out on trails and roadsides. These plants may be beautiful, but they are invasive and harm California’s natural landscapes.  Invasive plants outcompete and crowd out native plants, damaging…
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A staff person from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife inspects a boat.
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Clean, Drain, Dry: Protect Our Waters

June 10, 2025
By Cherie Shook
You may not see them, but small hitchhikers can cling to your boats, trailers, fishing gear, kayaks, and paddleboards. These hitchhikers are aquatic invasive species like plants, fish, and mussels. Once introduced to a body of water, they can displace native species, clog motors, damage water delivery…
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Stacks of firewood for sale below a canopy with a sign that says "firewood."
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Destructive Pests Hide in Firewood

June 9, 2025
By Lindsey Hack
While bringing firewood from home for your weekend camping trip may seem harmless, many invasive pests can hide in firewood and cause serious harm to California’s forests and urban landscapes. You can help limit the spread of these unwanted hitchhikers by collecting or buying firewood close to where you plan…
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Red, black, and white spotted lanternfly nymphs on a plant.
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Be on the Lookout

June 8, 2025
By Cherie Shook
Be on the lookout for invasive species threatening California! While state and federal agencies actively monitor for new invasive pests, the public serves a critical role in early detection and often are the ones who find new invasive species first.  During California Invasive Species Action Week …
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The letters "CISAW" animated as invasive species organisms.
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Protect California from Invasive Species

June 5, 2025
Invasive species. What does that mean? Invasive species are non-native pests that harm California’s natural areas, public health, and economy. To raise awareness about these pests, UC IPM joins other state agencies to promote the annual California Invasive Species Action Week (CISAW), which goes from June 7…
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