![Figure 1. Honey bee on tidytips. [K.K. Garvey]](https://ucanr.edu/blogs/UCIPMurbanpests/blogfiles/31553small.jpg)
August 22nd is National Honey Bee Day so we thought we'd repost one of our previous articles that discussed ways gardeners can help protect honey bees.
Author: Dr. Eric Mussen, UC Cooperative Extension Apiculturist
Most people have heard about the decline in honey bees (Figures 1 and 2) during the last several years and want to help. Gardeners and landscapers who want to help protect honey bees can do so by learning more about the factors that cause bee decline and by practicing Integrated Pest Management or IPM.
Better Nutrition, Fewer Pesticides
The actual cause of...
- Author: Scott Oneto
![Figure 2. Galls on scotch broom. [S. Oneto]](https://ucanr.edu/blogs/UCIPMurbanpests/blogfiles/31483small.jpg)
[From the July 2015 issue of the UC IPM Retail Nursery and Garden Center IPM News]
A recent find in El Dorado County has weed scientists, land managers, foresters, botanists, and plant conservationists throughout Northern California very excited over a tiny mite.
The broom gall mite has recently been observed attacking the invasive plant Scotch broom (Cytisus scoparius) in California's natural landscapes. Scotch broom, desired for its bright yellow flowers and rapid growth, was first introduced into North America as an ornamental and for erosion control....
- Author: Andrew Mason Sutherland
[From the July 2015 issue of the UC IPM Retail IPM Newsletter]
Insect pests, though actually quite rare in well-managed lawns and turf, can sometimes jeopardize a flawless appearance, potentially sending people running to their local nursery or garden center for help.
The recently revised UC IPM Pest Note: Lawn Insects can prepare you with answers to keep lawns pest-free and BBQ ready this summer. This resource contains a wealth of information about lawn insect...
Come be a part of a great team!
UC IPM is hiring for an Editor to work with the Urban & Community program editing and laying out educational materials. These materials include a variety of publications such as a large, frequently updated publication series, technical manuscripts written for a lay audience, news and informational pieces, and other documents for print or Web. Our print publications are distributed to end users throughout California and documents on the UC IPM Web site receive more than 10,000 page views daily.
The application period closes on July 10. Learn more about the position at the links below and apply today!
- Author: Karey Windbiel-Rojas
![Rattle of a Mojave rattlesnake. [Photo by J.M. Peaden]](https://ucanr.edu/blogs/UCIPMurbanpests/blogfiles/28232small.jpg)
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...
