You're probably familiar with lady beetles (aka lady bugs), common beneficial insect predators that prey on aphids and other soft-bodied insects. However, lady beetles are not the only beneficial predators that can be found in your garden and landscape.
Other “natural enemies” such as assassin bugs, minute pirate bugs, lacewings, predatory wasps, spiders, and predaceous ground beetles attack and kill pests. In some cases, both the adults and larvae are predators. It's important to recognize the different life stages of these beneficial predators so you know they are helping control pests and not attacking your plants.
Protect beneficials...
Every April, we celebrate Earth Day and think about ways we can help make our planet healthier. One way to do this is to use IPM or integrated pest management to deal with pests around your home and garden!
IPM is a science-based, environmentally sound strategy that farmers, professionals, and residents can use to help prevent or control pests and their damage while at the same time protecting people, bees, beneficials, pets and the planet.
Are you already using IPM?
IPM uses a combination of methods including:
- biological control -- 'good bugs' or beneficial organisms like spiders or parasites that eat or prey on other bugs;
- physical control -- blocking the pest from...
News Release - March 16, 2017
The California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) released a revised proposal for regulating the use of agricultural pesticides near school sites and licensed child day care facilities. The department is inviting the public to comment on the revisions during a 15-day period.
The revised draft regulation reflects extensive public input received during the most recent round of public review, which included three formal hearings and ended in December. The original proposal was issued in September 2016, after the department held a series of public workshops in five locations around the state.
The proposed regulation would provide an extra...
Are you and your staff registered for one of UC IPM's hands-on, train-the-trainer workshops? Are you UC Master Gardener who would like more IPM training? If so, spaces are still available in both our January 24 and January 31 workshops. Don't miss this opportunity to learn about some important topics to better serve your clientele. Only $30 and includes breakfast, lunch, lots of training materials to take home, and great information!
Oakland Workshop, Jan. 24, 2017
Tomorrow, Tuesday, January 17, is the final day to register for the Oakland IPM Training for Retail Nurseries and Garden...
- Author: Karey Windbiel-Rojas
Retailers-- are you registered yet for the January 24, IPM Training for Retail Nurseries and Garden Centers? If not, you only have a few more days to claim your spot.
When: Tuesday, January 24, 2017
Where: Oakland Center, CSU East Bay -- Oakland, CA
Time: 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM
Cost: $30 per person
This hands-on, train-the-trainer workshop is designed especially for retail nursery and garden center employees, managers, owners, and affiliates. Training topics include invasive pests, Asian citrus psyllid and huanglongbing disease, household pests, and IPM and pesticides. Participants will receive relevant materials and helpful...