Although they're small, cute, and furry, ground squirrels can be a real pest for California residents and gardeners. Found throughout California, burrowing ground squirrels cause damage to landscapes and structures while feeding on ornamental or food-bearing plants.
How can you get rid of ground squirrels?
There are several management options for ground squirrels. They might include:
- habitat modification
- exclusion
- trapping
- fumigation and toxic baits
It's important to understand the life cycle and behavior of ground squirrels for...
Spring is here which means pest activity is on the rise. Termites are one of the top pest concerns for many city dwellers and rural residents alike. The infographic shows some interesting facts about termites.
Here in California, there are three kinds of termites considered pests including subterranean termites, drywood, and dampwood termites. The Formosan termite is one kind of subterranean termite found in California, although in limited areas.
Treatments differ for each type of termite, but there are many things you can to reduce infestations. This includes removing wood piles and scrap wood around the home, keeping substructures dry and well ventilated, and finishing exterior wood with...
- Author: Elizabeth E Grafton-Cardwell
Attention Pest Management Professionals!
Are you looking for continuing education units (CEUs) to complete your renewal application this year for the Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR)? The UC Statewide IPM Program and the Lindcove Research and Extension Center have online courses available that can help you get those needed credits. All courses have moved to the pest management section of the national eXtension online campus system. Be sure to spend at least 1 hour on each unit to receive...
- Author: Elizabeth E Grafton-Cardwell
(Credit: M. Lewis, CISR)
[This post has been modified from the article originally published in the Fall 2018 issue of the Retail Nursery and Garden Center IPM News.]
Citrus trees remain a popular choice for home gardeners in California, largely due to their ease of care, beauty, and functionality for food and shade. However, backyard citrus can also be plagued by pests such as psyllids, leafminers, cottony cushion scale, and mealybugs.
Longtime readers of this blog will know that we have covered the
- Author: Elizabeth E Grafton-Cardwell
- Editor: Elaine Lander
(Credit: E. Grafton-Cardwell, UCCE)
[This post has been modified from the article originally published in the Fall 2018 issue of the Retail Nursery and Garden Center IPM News.]
Citrus leafminer is a moth that arrived in California in 2000 and has invaded citrus throughout the state. This small moth lays its eggs on new, succulent citrus leaves. The larvae burrow through the soft leaf tissue, creating shallow meandering...
