Raccoons may look adorable at times, but when this nocturnal animal appears in your yard at night, its “cuteness” factor quickly disappears.
Raccoons normally live in natural areas, but they can easily adapt and survive in urban settings where they may damage garden plants, knock over garbage cans or compost piles, and eat backyard fruits, nuts and vegetables. Female raccoons may nest in backyards, attics, or beneath decks or homes.
Raccoons are known to carry parasites and diseases so family pets could be at risk if they come into contact with these animals. If you live in an area where raccoons are common, make sure to get your pets vaccinated for rabies and distemper.
If raccoons become a...
Alert from CDFA Plant Health and Prevention Services
The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) have established a 94-square mile quarantine in portions of Riverside and San Bernardino counties following the detection of the citrus disease huanglongbing (HLB), or citrus greening. HLB is a deadly disease of citrus plants and closely related species, and can be transmitted from tree to tree by the Asian citrus psyllid.
On July 15, HLB was discovered in a grapefruit tree in the city of Riverside in a residential neighborhood near the intersection of Chicago...
This time of year, you may notice a white, powdery looking growth on fruit, vegetable plants or ornamental plants in your garden. What is it? It could be powdery mildew.
Powdery mildew is caused by several different fungi that may attack plant leaf surfaces, shoots, fruits, and flowers. There are several species of powdery mildew; all are spread by wind and thrive in shady areas when temperatures are between 60-80 °F. The fungi attack both new and old foliage, and can be a problem on certain plants. The disease usually occurs first on new leaves, before spreading to older parts of the plant. This is why over fertilizing worsens powdery mildew.
Ornamental Plants
Many woody and herbaceous...
- Author: Pamela Kan-Rice
The incurable citrus tree disease huanglongbing, or HLB, has been detected in Los Angeles and Orange counties and most recently in
[From the Summer issue of the UC IPM Retail Nursery & Garden Center News]
The incurable citrus disease huanglongbing (HLB) has been detected in dozens of backyard trees in Los Angeles and Orange counties and most recently in Riverside. The bacterium that causes this disease is spread from tree to tree by Asian citrus psyllids (Figure 1). HLB, also known as citrus greening, has already devastated the citrus trees in Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, South Carolina, and Texas. There is no known treatment for the disease, which usually kills the tree within three to five...
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