![Mule deer. [W.P.Gorenzel]](https://ucanr.edu/blogs/UCIPMurbanpests/blogfiles/32991small.jpg)
From the UCANR Green Blog
Did you know that it is illegal to feed wildlife? As tempting as it is to put out bread crumbs for birds or deer chow for Bambi, there are downsides to feeding wild animals, says a UC Agriculture and Natural Resources expert in human-wildlife conflict resolution.
California law states: “Except as otherwise authorized in these regulations or in the Fish and Game Code, no person shall harass, herd or drive any game or...
![Child scratching head. [K. Windbiel-Rojas]](https://ucanr.edu/blogs/UCIPMurbanpests/blogfiles/32601small.jpg)
The mere mention of head lice might make feel you itchy and start to scratch your head. However, now that children are back in school, it's a good time to talk about these tiny pests.
Although head lice can infest anyone, children are the most susceptible since they play together closely and share items that come into contact with the head like hats, headphones and combs. Head lice are not known to transmit infectious diseases and are considered more of a nuisance than a health risk. In many school districts, children with head lice are generally not allowed to attend school as long as nits are found in their hair.
An adult head louse is about the size of a sesame seed and ranges in color from tan to gray. While lice can...
- Author: Kathy Keatley Garvey
![Adult syrphid fly. [J.K.Clark]](https://ucanr.edu/blogs/UCIPMurbanpests/blogfiles/32516small.jpg)
Will all the pollinators please stand up!
Or do a fly-by like the Blue Angels or a crawl-by like babies competing in a diaper derby.
Bees--there are more than 4000 of them in North America--are the main pollinators, but don't overlook butterflies, beetles, birds, bats and moths.
And flies.
Flies?
Yes, flies.
Hover flies, aka flower flies or syrphid flies, belong to the family Syrphidae. Scientists estimate that worldwide, there are about 6000 described species in 200 genera. As their name implies, hover flies "hover," sort of like a helicopter preparing to...
- Author: Steven Swain
- Author: Karey Windbiel-Rojas
[From the July 2015 issue of the UC IPM Retail Nursery and Garden Center IPM News]
Pantry pests sometimes find their way into our homes undetected and can infest stored products like flour, cereal, pasta, dried fruit, nuts, and even pet food. Often, by the time these pests are noticed, they have infested and contaminated foodstuffs and may already be reproducing in your home, making management difficult. Below are some tips to help you clean up, monitor, and prevent pantry pest problems.
What are Pantry Pests?
Beetles and moths are the two...
- Author: Jeannette E. Warnert
The brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) has made its way to Stanislaus County, reported John Holland in the Modesto Bee. The invasive pest, introduced into the U.S. from Asia, has also been detected in San Joaquin, Sacramento, Yolo, Sutter, Butte, Santa Clara and Los Angeles counties.
The stink bugs pose a threat to a wide variety of plants, including home-grown and commercial ornamentals, fruits, vegetables and nuts, said Jhalendra Rijal, the area Integrated Pest Management Advisor with UC Agriculture and Natural Resources. Rijal is based at the
