- Author: Karey Windbiel-Rojas
Opossums are the only marsupial native to North America and are quite interesting animals. Female marsupials may be seen carrying their young in an abdominal pouch or sometimes on their back. But opossums can also be pests.
This nocturnal animal can be a nuisance in neighborhoods when they dig through trash cans, compost piles, or food dishes intended for pets. If opossums visit your property occasionally, this may not be a cause for concern, unless your pets remain outdoors at night. Opossums will fight with dogs or cats and can inflict serious injury.
Opossums are often hosts for dog and cat fleas, and may carry several diseases including tuberculosis, toxoplasmosis, trichomoniasis and Chagas disease.
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- Author: Karey Windbiel-Rojas
The continued warm weather in our area means that mosquitoes are still active. So far this year, 361 cases of the mosquito-borne illness West Nile Virus (WNV) have been reported* in 23 California counties, including Yolo (4 human cases) and Sacramento (1 human case). Sadly, 18 of these 361 cases resulted in death.
It is important to protect yourself and your family from getting bit by mosquitoes. West Nile Virus is most serious in children, people with weakened immune systems, and the elderly.
When outside for prolonged periods during dawn or dusk, be sure to wear long-sleeved shirts, pants, socks, and a hat. Use insect repellents that contain DEET, picardin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus and reapply according to the label...
- Author: Karey Windbiel-Rojas
If you have house or office plants and have ever seen small, dark-colored insect swarming around them, your plants could have fungus gnats.
Fungus gnats are tiny flies that as adults, resemble mosquitoes. Fungus gnats don't bite people, but their presence can be annoying. Their larval stage lives in wet, overly moist potting mix, where they feed on decaying matter.
The first step to managing fungus gnats is allowing the soil in your houseplants to dry out in between watering. To read more about how to manage this pest, visit the UC IPM publication Pest Notes: Fungus Gnats.
Proposed New Mediterranean Fruit Fly Quarantine Boundary - Solano County
- Author: Karey Windbiel-Rojas
I've had a few calls about raccoons recently; reports ranging from them getting into trash cans at night, to even a report of one coming through a friend's open kitchen window and licking the butter dish!!
Raccoon sightings are not new to residential areas. While they normally live in natural habitats, they can easily adapt and survive in urban settings where they may damage garden plants, knock over garbage cans or compost piles, and eat backyard fruits, nuts and vegetables.
Problems in and around the home can also occur when female raccoons look for nesting sites. They can cause damage by ripping off shingles and other structural features when trying to get into the attic or underneath decks. Odors and other issues may...
