[From the UC IPM Pests in the Landscape Blog]
IPM is a science-based, environmentally sound strategy that farmers, professionals, and residents can use to help prevent or control pests and their damage while at the same time protecting people, bees, beneficials, pets and the planet.
Are you already using IPM?
IPM uses a combination of methods including:
- Biological control -- 'good bugs' or beneficial organisms like spiders or parasites that eat or prey on other bugs;
- Physical control -- blocking the pest from getting to a plant or in your house. Squishing a pest. Pulling weeds out by hand.
- Cultural control -- changing the conditions favoring the pest such as reducing wet areas or fertilizing less
- Chemical control -- using a pesticide that controls the pest but is less toxic to other organisms and the environment. Pesticides are considered only when other methods have not been successful.
What are some IPM examples?
Pests such as ants, flies, cockroaches and mice. Prevent them from entering your home by sealing up cracks and crevices, using weather stripping on doors and windows, and repairing and replacing screens.
Monitor outdoor pests so you can decide whether or not take action. Some IPM tactics include spraying aphids off with a forceful stream of water, handpicking caterpillars, snails, and beetle pests, or using row covers to keep pests off your plants.
After reading this article, you may discover that you already practice IPM. To learn more about integrated pest management, visit the UC IPM website What is IPM? or visit the Home, garden turf and landscape pests web page for solutions to common pest problems.
- Author: Anne E Schellman
Urban landscapes are much needed resource for pollinators such as hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees. What should you plant to attract them?
Honey bees are well-known plant pollinators, but they aren't the only bees in the landscape. California is home to over 1,600 species of native bee pollinators. Many of them may be found buzzing around in your backyard, looking for pollen and nectar.
Learn how to recognize native bees and other pollinators, and take home a list of plants they prefer. Join the UCCE Stanislaus County Master Gardeners on Tuesday, March 17, 2020 from 6:00-7:30 p.m. at Harvest Hall at the Stanislaus County Agricultural Center. Sign up at http://ucanr.edu/pollinators/2020 to reserve your space. Free flower seed packets for participants.
- Author: Anne E Schellman
This past week, the UCCE Stanislaus County Master Gardeners held a class about pollinators and the plants they prefer. Speakers from Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Xerces Society helped the audience “meet” many local pollinators found in our county.
Everyone knows about honey bees, but many might not realize there are over 4,000 native bees in California nor be able to recognize them.
Pop Quiz
At the beginning of the class, one speaker showed the image above and asked the audience, “How many bees are in this photo?” Participants shouted out several numbers, but most didn't know the answer. Take a moment to view each insect and count the bees. How many did you find? The answer and insect identities are at the very bottom of the page.
Conservation
Education about pollinators is important so people can learn how to recognize bees and incorporate sustainable gardening practices that help protect them.
Our program plans to create a pollinator collection to have on display at events to help people learn how to recognize these helpful insects. We also plan to have more classes about pollinators throughout the county. In the meantime, you can consult the following pollinator resources.
Native bees and other pollinators
Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation
UC Berkeley Urban Bee Lab
Best plants for native bees and pollinators
Visit these sites for lists and information about plants native bees and butterflies prefer that provide pollen and nectar. Many local nurseries and garden centers also carry these plants.
California Native Plant Society
Plant California
Visit a Local Garden!
You can see a local pollinator garden by visiting the La Loma Native Garden located near downtown Modesto.
Answer
Six of the insects are bees!
- Fly
- Bumble bee
- Butterfly
- Sweat bee
- Grasshopper
- Mining bee
- Mason bee
- Honey bee
- Velvet ant (actually a wasp)
- Metallic green sweat bee
Special thanks to the Natural Resources Conservation Council and the Xerces Society for making this class possible. The first photo in this article is based on a study written in Frontiers in Ecology called Public support of bee conservation.
- Author: Anne E Schellman
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. USDA Scientist Kathryn Prince will introduce common native pollinator bees and butterflies found in our area and which plants they prefer. You'll also receive free milkweed and other wildflower seeds! Voluntary $2 donation asked. Sign up at ucanr.edu/pollinators/2019
Seed Saving Workshop Sept 19
Join us Thursday, September 19, 2019 from 6:00-7:30 p.m. for a fun evening on saving vegetable seeds. Learn which seeds can be saved and how best to save them. There will be a hands-on portion, and afterwards you'll take home a mason jar full of heirloom tomato seeds, as well as seed packets of other heirloom vegetables. Cost is $5. Sign ups coming soon!
Vegetable Gardening for Absolute Beginners Oct 17
You asked, we answered! Several community residents reached out to us requesting a class about the “basics” of vegetable gardening. Comments included wanting to learn more about:
- How to identify your soil type
- How often to water and why
- Making your garden water efficient
- Which vegetables to plant and when
This free class will be held on a Thursday evening from 6:00-7:30 p.m. Participants will receive free a set of cool and warm season vegetable seeds.
Succulent Gardening Workshop Oct 26
Curious to know more about succulents? On Saturday, October 26, 2019 we're holding a morning workshop all about these colorful plants! You'll learn about different varieties and how to grow and propagate them. We'll also design a succulent garden box together. You'll take home plenty of cuttings to decorate your landscape!
Stay tuned for more information. This workshop is limited to 30 participants, so make sure to sign up as soon as you see it advertised to hold your space!
Never miss an event!
Follow us on Facebook or twitter @ucmgstanislaus or visit our event Classes and Workshops page regularly.
These four events will be held at the Agricultural Center in Modesto in Harvest Hall in rooms D&E.
- Author: Anne E Schellman
I'm excited to announce that we've partnered with Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Xerces Society to bring a class all about pollinators!
You can sign up for our event at http://ucanr.edu/pollinators/2019 It's being held Thursday, September 5, 2019 from 6:00-7:30 p.m. in Harvest Hall Rooms D&E at the Stanislaus County Agricultural Center.
Please join us for a fun evening of learning about native pollinators, the plants and habitats they prefer, and the best way to “invite” them to your landscape! Free wildflower seed packets for participants while they last.
We are asking for a voluntary payment of $2 per person to help pay speaker mileage fees.
Resources
Beyond the honey bee: Learn more about California native bees. UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden. Taken from https://arboretum.ucdavis.edu/blog/beyond-honey-bee-learn-more-about-california-native-bees on August 21, 2019.