May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month, a campaign that brings attention to this tick-borne illness.
Lyme disease can be transmitted to humans and pets in California from the bite of an infected western blacklegged tick. Lyme disease causes flu-like symptoms that left untreated, may progress to arthritic, neurologic, or cardiac problems. Incidences of Lyme disease have occurred in some northern California counties, with some counties posing a higher risk of contracting the disease than others..
There are several ways to protect yourself from Lyme disease. If you spend time outdoors in tick-infested areas, take these simple precautions:
- Wear full...
April 16-22 has been declared West Nile Virus and Mosquito Vector Control Awareness week by the California State Legislature. West Nile virus (WNV) is a mosquito-borne disease that was originally found in Africa. It was first detected in the eastern U.S. in 1999, and has since spread across the country and is well established in most states, including California.
West Nile Virus is spread by mosquitoes that get the virus from infected birds. Once infected, mosquitoes then transfer the virus to humans and other animals. Infected humans can become very ill. The disease usually is most serious in children, people with weakened immune systems, and the elderly.
As weather warms and people spend more time outdoors, it's...
The black widow spider is known and feared by many people due to its venomous bite. However, in the past decade in California, a change in widow spider populations has occurred. A newer invasive spider called the brown widow may be displacing black widow spiders in some urban habitats.
Brown widow spiders are now common in urban areas of Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego, Riverside, San Diego and San Bernardino counties. People have also reported finding them in Ventura and Santa Barbara, and experts believe they may eventually be found in other areas of the state.
Residents may be relieved to learn that brown widow spiders are less likely to bite and if they do, the symptoms are more mild than a black widow...
Do you plan to stay in a hotel during the holidays this year? If so, do you know how to look for bed bugs and prevent them from coming home with you? UC IPM can help. We have detailed information as well as videos to help make your holidays bed bug-free.
Why Do Hotels Harbor Bed Bugs?
Until recently, bed bugs were typically associated with crowded and run-down hotels or housing. However, bed bug infestations are on the rise and can even be found in the finest hotels! The reason for this pest's resurgence isn't totally understood, but appears to involve increased global travel, ease of movement of infested items, widespread insecticide resistance, and changes in pesticides available for control.
What are Bed...
/h2>- Author: Karey Windbiel-Rojas
As spring approaches and people continue to enjoy California's sunny weather, outdoor types should also be aware of rattlesnakes that may be inhabiting the same places they travel. Those who enjoy hiking should determine first whether rattlesnakes are found in that area and under what conditions they might be encountered.
Rattlesnakes have a distinctive, triangular-shaped head, which can be helpful in their identification; and as their name implies, most have a rattle on the tail end. The harmless gopher snake (Pituophis catenifer) appears similar to rattlesnakes and can alter its posture to mimic the triangular head shape but will always lack a rattle. However because rattles can break off, the lack of a rattle does...