Fall is finally here! Things may be slowing down in our gardens and landscapes, but don't forget to check for pests and take steps to prevent them from returning next year.
The UC IPM Seasonal Landscape IPM Checklist is a monthly guide to help you avoid common pests of landscape plants. Here are some general tips for the month of October. Visit the checklist online to see more pest management to-dos for your region.
- Prevent root rot by not overwatering and improving drainage.
- Remove and discard old, infected flowers and apply fresh organic...
- Author: Lauren Fordyce
You bought a pesticide product that needs to be mixed with water before applying. Did you accidentally mix up too much and now have leftover pesticide? What should you do with it?
Before mixing or applying a pesticide, always read the pesticide label to see where the product can be used (i.e., what plants it can be applied to) and apply any excess mixed pesticide in these sites. For example, if you applied an insecticide to control aphids on your roses and you have leftover product, check the label to see if you can apply the remaining product to your tomato plants that also have aphids.
Leftover pesticides should never be poured down the drain, including indoor drains, outdoor drains, or gutters/storm drains....
If you've noticed tiny, dark insects flying around your houseplants, you likely have fungus gnats. These tiny flies can be a nuisance indoors and may also damage your plants.
Fungus gnats lay their eggs in moist soil and their larvae feed on plant roots and decaying organic matter. Because of this, the key to managing fungus gnats is to let the soil dry out in between watering and don't overwater plants. Water plants from the bottom using saucers under pots. This keeps the top of the soil dry, discouraging fungus gnats.
Sticky traps can be placed in pots or near plants to catch fungus gnat adults. This is also a great way to monitor for fungus gnats. Pesticides, including several biological pesticides like...
- Author: Lauren Fordyce
Indoor food waste bins (also known as kitchen bins or compost bins) have become a popular addition to Californian homes. They are a great way to collect food scraps and divert food waste from landfills, but they can sometimes attract pest insects like maggots, ants, and fruit flies. Below are some tips for keeping a pest-free food waste bin:
- Empty and clean indoor food waste bins frequently. Dump the food waste into your outdoor compost pile, drop it off at a composting facility, or place it into your municipal green waste bin. Emptying your indoor bin frequently (even if it's not full) can make it less attractive to pests and...
Spring is here and if you are like us, you can't wait to get outside and see how your plants and garden are doing! As usual, UC IPM has useful tips for the month of April to prevent pests in the garden and landscape. To see more tips specific to your region, visit the Seasonal Landscape IPM Checklist on the UC IPM website. Here are some general tips to get you started:
- Cover fruit trees with netting to exclude birds and other vertebrate pests.