The Stanislaus Sprout

Summer and Fall Events, 2019 Ready to learn about local pollinators and how to welcome them to your garden? Take our Attracting Pollinators to your Backyard class this Thursday, September 5, 2019 from 6:00-7:30 p.m.

Honey bees get a lot of press, but they aren't the only pollinators in our gardens and landscapes. California is home to over 1600 species of native bees, and many can be found in your backyard. In addition to native bees, there are also butterflies, moths, beetles, flies, and other pollinators.

Last week, someone called our helpline about a strange phenomenon happening on her backyard plants. She described the symptoms as big, white, masses of fluffy cotton. I asked her to email some photos our helpline address (ucmgstanislaus@ucanr.edu).

Time for a fun pop quiz! Do you spend a lot of time gardening or thinking about gardening? Are you often asked for gardening advice by friends or family members? Do you enjoy learning new information about gardening and pest management?

In Part I, we discussed why mosquitoes bite, and which mosquito species can spread West Nile and Zika virus. Now, let's talk about what mosquitoes need to reproduce, how to prevent them from breeding around your home, and best methods to protect yourself and your family while outdoors.