- Author: Lauren Snowden
- Posted by: Elaine Lander

Originally posted on the UC Master Gardener Program Statewide Blog
During the holiday season many plants, cut flowers and flowering bulbs are used as decoration and given as gifts. Many of these items can be poisonous to both humans and pets with long-term negative effects to one's health. Plant poisoning can range from simple rashes and blisters all the way to organ damage and in severe cases death. Be safe this holiday season by being mindful of what plants and flowers you are either giving, receiving or decorating...
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March 18-24 was National Poison Prevention Week. While our blog post may be tardy, it's never too late to raise awareness about the risks associated with using pesticides and how to protect yourself and your family from accidental poisoning.
Pesticides are any substance used to kill, repel, or deter unwanted organisms, including insects, spiders, weeds, plant diseases, or animal pests such as rodents. In most situations, effective nonchemical options exist to control pests. However, if you decide to use a pesticide, please consider the following...

From the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR)
Halloween is upon us, and what better time to resurrect some chilling stories from this year that highlight consumers misusing pesticides with disastrous results!
These cautionary tales are merely a sample of the preventable deaths, unnecessary sicknesses, hospitalizations, and serious injuries reported to the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) this year.
Unfortunately, these stories are real – not fiction – and they highlight the importance of heeding warning signs, properly storing pesticides, and following pesticide label...

March 20-26 is National Poison Prevention Week. Every third week in March, the Poison Prevention Week Council holds this event to highlight the dangers of poisonings and how to prevent them and ensure the safety of children and adults.
Pesticides are a common types of poison that are found in many people's homes. Poisoning can happen when pesticides are not stored correctly and/or disposed of properly. Here are a few tips for keeping people and pets safe:
- Products should be kept tightly capped in a locked cabinet, out of the reach of children and pets.
- Always keep pesticides in their original container.
- Never dispose of...
- Author: Niamh Quinn
![Eastern fox squirrel. [C.L.Christie]](https://ucanr.edu/blogs/UCIPMurbanpests/blogfiles/33868small.jpg)
[From the November 2015 issue of the UC IPM Retail Nursery and Garden Center IPM News]
...Continued from Tree or Ground Squirrel: What's the Difference?, Part I
Eastern Fox Squirrel Management
Of the four tree squirrels, the eastern fox squirrel is considered to be the most serious pest to homes and gardens in urban and suburban environments. Fox squirrels that are found to be injuring growing crops or...
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