Brooms are shrubs which were originally planted in California as ornamentals and for erosion control, but are now considered to be invasive weeds since they are highly competitive. They crowd out native plants and form impenetrable barriers to wildlife. There are four common species of broom in California: Scotch broom, French broom, Spanish broom and Portuguese broom.

In the newly revised Pest Notes: Brooms, UCCE advisor Scott Oneto and UC Davis weed scientists Joe DiTomaso and Guy Kyser explain the issues with planting these invasive species. The publication includes expanded sections on biology and management and updated herbicide...

Nutria are found near rivers, streams, lakes, ponds and wetlands. Their burrowing and feeding on vegetation can cause damage. In addition, they can carry pathogens and parasites.

Learn how to identify nutria and distinguish them from other native look-alikes in this fact sheet from the California Department of Fish & Wildlife (CDFW). If you think you've found nutria in California, be sure to report it to CDFW. You can find more about nutria from their website.

Small beetles are causing big problems in Southern California. Two closely related species, the polyphagous shot hole borer and the Kuroshio shot hole borer (collectively referred to as invasive shot hole borers), have been attacking more than 60 species of trees. These invasive beetles create a series of tunnels, or galleries, where they lay eggs and cultivate a Fusarium fungus to use as a food source. The fungus causes branch dieback, general tree decline, and can result in tree death. The beetles have been found in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Diego counties.

What should you look for?

Invasive shot hole...

UC IPM agrees that Black lives matter, and that we must act now to end the systemic racism that allows police violence to take Black lives, including George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade, Stephon Clark, Darell Richards, Marshall Miles, Joseph Mann, Atatiana Jefferson, Sandra Bland, and countless others.

UC IPM can do more to embody equity. We will strive to better serve our Black clientele and colleagues. In our mission to serve all Californians there is room for improvement in how we address the unique circumstances and systemic oppression facing the Black community, as well as Indigenous people and other marginalized groups.

We must start the conversation. We must ask the people around us about the actions they...