- Author: Steven Swain
![Figure 1. Tree roots often grow near the surface when soil is compacted, or when the only water available comes from shallow irrigation. [S.V.Swain]](https://ucanr.edu/blogs/UCIPMurbanpests/blogfiles/31708small.jpg)
[From the August 2015 issue of the UC IPM Green Bulletin]
Although pine trees are comparatively drought tolerant, there comes a point where even hardy trees become stressed by lack of water. Stressed pines frequently exhibit symptoms such as thin, slightly yellowish canopies, or roots that "spider" across lawns (Figure 1). By the time pine trees begin turning brown, they are usually dying, but with some precautions, many trees can be saved before they reach this point.
California has a number of native bark beetle species that individually do only minor damage as they...
- 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: 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
Summer is in full gear and along with warm weather comes the abundance of some seasonal insect pests such as flies. Of the thousands of fly species, only a few are pests in and around the home, the most common one being the house fly.
Flies can carry bacteria and viruses that cause conditions such as diarrhea and food poisoning. House flies pick up disease agents while feeding on materials like feces and then deposit them onto human food after contact with or feeding on human food.
The best way to deal with house flies is to use a combination of exclusion and sanitation practices. While humans commonly find adult flies to be the most bothersome life stage, the larval stage is the best target for management efforts....
