During summer swarming season, homeowners urged to check for signs of Formosan subterranean termite

In the lottery of troublesome termite infestations, “Roger,” a Rancho Santa Fe homeowner, hit the jackpot (a pseudonym is used to protect his privacy). In 2021, his house in San Diego County was identified as home to only the fourth documented colony of the Formosan subterranean termite (Coptotermes formosanus) in California.

“FST is one of the most destructive urban pests in the world,” said University of...

The cool, wet spring that California has experienced this year comes with many benefits, but also some drawbacks. For the false chinch bug, a small insect commonly found in grassy or weedy areas, this year's weather may result in a population boom. For those who live near grassy areas, it could mean hundreds to thousands of these insects invading homes and other nearby structures.

False chinch bugs are a common springtime pest. They overwinter in unmanaged areas and often feed on winter weeds, like mustard. As spring plant growth increases, so do populations of false chinch bugs. When spring weeds die back, the false chinch bugs will then move to landscape plants and crops to feed. They are usually only a pest of...

You may be noticing white grubs in your compost piles, lawns, or garden beds. These white, c-shaped critters can be 1/4 inch long or 2 inches long, depending on the species. White grubs are the larvae of some scarab beetles, and though many of them can cause damage to our landscapes, not all of them do.

There are three species that feed on the roots of grasses, making them a potential pest to lawns when in high numbers. These species may also be found in landscape or garden beds that are near grassy areas or were recently converted from grassy areas. Compare the size of white grubs you may find, as some species are much larger or smaller than others and can help you determine which is present.   

What do Earth Day and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) have in common? They both seek to protect the beautiful planet we all share! IPM is an environmentally friendly way to manage pests, focusing on nonchemical control methods (cultural, physical, and biological) rather than relying solely on pesticides. The main goal is to reduce pests but to achieve that without harm to people, water, soil ecosystems, beneficial insects, and wildlife.

This Earth Day, see how you can use IPM to protect the environment. Here are some ideas:

Plant flowers

Flowering plants, especially those native to California, are not only beautiful but incredibly important for pest control!