- Author: Lauren Fordyce

You may not think about rodents such as rats, mice, or gophers until they become a pest around your home. Because rodents can be major pests in and around homes, gardens, landscapes, restaurants, and other buildings, each year pest control experts “celebrate” Rodent Awareness Week. Rodent Awareness Week (October 16-22) is an annual campaign created by the National Pest Management Association to educate the public about the potential harm associated with rats and mice. In addition to damaging structures and property, rodents can transmit diseases to humans and other animals. During the fall and winter months, rodents will seek food and shelter in...
- Posted by: Lauren Fordyce
- Author: Belinda J. Messenger-Sikes

Abiotic plant disorders are generally caused by environmental conditions, rather than microorganisms. They are sometimes called noninfectious diseases. Abiotic disorders can develop if a plant's needs are not being met. Abiotic disorders can not only damage a plant directly but could predispose trees and shrubs to attack by insects and pathogens. Disorders and pests often act in combination, such as when drought stress or root injuries make trees susceptible to bark beetles and root decay pathogens.
Common causes of abiotic disorders include too much or not enough water, compacted soil, nutrient deficiency (often caused by imbalanced soil pH), excess soil...
- Author: Belinda J. Messenger-Sikes
- Contributor: Karey Windbiel-Rojas

- Author: Karey Windbiel-Rojas
![Thinning canopy is an early sign of Bot canker. [Credit: J. Downer]](https://ucanr.edu/blogs/UCIPMurbanpests/blogfiles/93035small.jpg)
- Author: Elaine Lander

(Credit: Jack Kelly Clark)
Fungal spores spend the winter on twigs and buds before germinating in the spring....