This Saturday, April 13th, is the annual Picnic Day celebration at UC Davis.

Join the UC Statewide IPM Program from 9am to 3pm at the entomology building Briggs Hall on the UC Davis campus. We'll have lady beetles (ladybugs) to give away, information on beneficial insects, stickers and temporary tattoos. Plus, this is a great time to get your pest questions answered and learn about the UC IPM resources available to the public.

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...