Most of us have clutter we've hidden away in closets, drawers, garages, or in other storage space. Although you may not have the time or energy to go through these excess “stuff” and cluttered areas, we have an incentive for you: pest reduction and prevention.
Consider the following pests when thinking whether you should reduce clutter and get rid of unneeded items in your house:
Cockroaches may come into contact with human and pet excrement and can transmit bacteria to food. They prefer to hide in warm, moist environments. The German cockroach female is capable of laying over 30,000 eggs per year,...
Last week, we discussed some common beneficial predators that help control pests on garden and landscape plants. One such predator you might find, is a lacewing. In fact, you may have seen adult lacewings on or near porchlights in the evening, since these insects are attracted to lights.
Green Lacewings
Green lacewing (Chrysopa spp., Chrysoperla spp.) adults are green, soft-bodied insects with golden eyes and four membranous wings. Their larvae are pale with dark markings and a tapered tail, and measure 1/8 to 4/5 of an inch long.
There are several species of green lacewings; some species have predaceous adults, while others feed only on...
/h2>If you grow roses, you might be noticing damage on the flowers caused by hoplia beetles (Hoplia callipyge). Hoplia beetles, which are common between March and May, especially in the Central Valley, feed on the blossoms of light-colored roses and other flowers in your landscape.
Hoplia beetle adults are small, reddish-brown scarab beetles that are often found resting inside a blossom. If you hold one in your hand, you'll notice that most of the body is a beautiful, iridescent silvery green color in the sunlight.
These beetles may also occasionally be found feeding on other plants with light-colored petals.
Some people believe they have the rose chafer or Japanese beetle in their landscape, however...
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...
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...