- Author: Karey Windbiel-Rojas
![Adult female mosquito, Aedes egypti. [J. Gathany]](https://ucanr.edu/blogs/UCIPMurbanpests/blogfiles/41882small.jpg)
The Zika virus is spread to people mainly through the bite of an infected mosquito, mostly Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. People can also get the Zika virus through sexual contact with an infected person, and the virus can also be passed from a pregnant woman to her developing fetus, which can cause a serious birth defect called microcephaly.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there is currently no vaccine to prevent the disease or any drugs to treat it. The best way to prevent Zika and other mosquito-borne diseases, including West Nile virus, is to protect yourself and your family from mosquito bites. Aedes mosquitoes are considered day biters, so it's important to...
- Author: Karey Windbiel-Rojas
![Adult female mosquit, Aedes aegypti. [J. Gathany, CDC.]](https://ucanr.edu/blogs/UCIPMurbanpests/blogfiles/38419small.jpg)
[From the August 2016 issue of the UC IPM Retail Newsletter]
Concerns over the Zika virus have been all over the news lately, so you may be getting questions about mosquito repellents and how customers can protect themselves from mosquitoes.
The Zika virus is spread to people mainly through the bite of an infected mosquito, mostly Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. People can also get the Zika virus through sexual contact with an infected person, and the virus can also be passed from a pregnant woman to her developing fetus, which can cause a serious birth defect called...
- Author: Lisa A Blecker
![Pesticide application. [J.K. Clark]](https://ucanr.edu/blogs/UCIPMurbanpests/blogfiles/34058small.jpg)
[From the December 2015 issue of the UC IPM Green Bulletin]
On August 5, 2015, EPA released a proposal to revise the standards for both commercial and private certified pesticide applicators. In California this rule would affect anyone with an applicator certification or license through the Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR), the Department of Public Health (DPH), the Structural Pest Control Board (SPCB), or the County Agricultural Commissioner's office (CAC).
Affected licenses include:
- Qualified Applicator Certificate...
- Author: Cheryl Reynolds
![Following pesticide labels helps applicators avoid illegal residues.[C.Reynolds]](https://ucanr.edu/blogs/UCIPMurbanpests/blogfiles/32189small.jpg)
The UC Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program (UC IPM) put together a 26-page card set in English and Spanish on understanding pesticide labels. Intended for pesticide handlers, applicators, safety trainers, and pest control advisers (PCAs), the cards explain when to read the label, describe what kind of information can be found in each section of a pesticide label, and point out specific instruction areas so that applicators can apply pesticides safely and avoid illegal pesticide residues.
Traces of pesticide residue are normal and even expected after pesticides are applied to food crops, but by the time produce is ready to be sold,...
Today, April 7, 2015 is the 13th annual National Healthy Schools Day, a day dedicated to promoting healthy school environments for children.
Children in the United States face risks from exposure to pests and pesticides in schools. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) encourages the use of Integrated Pest Management (IPM), a smart, sensible and sustainable approach to pest control that focuses on addressing the underlying issues that make schools attractive to pests.
EPA reports that half of all schools have problems with indoor pollution, a complex problem attributable to various sources, such as poor engineering, leaky roofs, deferred...
