- Author: Lauren Fordyce
Aedes mosquitoes can transmit some of the most debilitating and deadly mosquito-borne pathogens to humans, such as Zika virus, dengue virus, chikungunya virus, and yellow fever virus. One Aedes species is also capable of transmitting heartworm to dogs. These invasive mosquitoes are now present in many regions of California, from Shasta County to San Diego County. View a map of Aedes distribution by county.
The yellow fever mosquito (Aedes aegypti), the Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus), and the Australian backyard mosquito (Aedes notoscriptus) are unlike most native mosquitoes. They prefer to bite during the day, especially around your legs and ankles. Adults are black with white stripes on their legs and back.
Many Aedes mosquitoes live in close contact with people and can breed in backyards and even inside homes. They are known as “container breeding mosquitoes” because they often lay eggs in small containers, such as flowerpots, tree holes, or old tires. Eggs are laid in moist areas just above the water surface, can overwinter, and are resistant to drying so may remain viable for months or longer.
How can you protect yourself?
In many areas of California, public Mosquito and Vector Control Districts aim to keep mosquito numbers down to tolerable levels. You can aid their efforts by eliminating mosquito breeding sources around your home. This includes keeping fine mesh screens on windows and doors in good condition, draining standing water or treating it with Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies israelensis (Bti), and wearing mosquito repellents and protective clothing outdoors.
Learn more about invasive Aedes mosquitoes and how to protect yourself by visiting the following resources:
- UC IPM Pest Notes: Mosquitoes: https://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7451.html
- Mosquito repellent information from the California Department of Public Health: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/Mosquito-Repellent.aspx
- Interactive map of Aedes distribution in California: https://cdphdata.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=57367199287a4d18a2cecf107854255b
- Invasive Aedes fact sheet from the Mosquito and Vector Control Association of California: https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:US:908f4b9e-8266-47b3-9e3d-ec165913fc7f?viewer%21megaVerb=group-discover
- Author: Lily Elola
At the onset of my fellowship I was nervous about spending too much time alone. Living by myself in a cottage on a ~5,500 acre remote research site stood in stark contrast to my urban upbringing in the East Bay Area. Despite the appealing prospect of a change in scenery, worries about the unintended consequences of prolonged isolation lingered. It was amidst this uncertainty that I stumbled upon an unexpectedly reliable companion— birds.
I can't say I ever paid much attention to birds before last year. I deemed their presence unimportant and their noises (at times) annoying. Admittedly, my knowledge of birds stopped at pigeons, crows, and seagulls. Like many, I dismissed birds as insignificant animals in the grand scheme of an often stressful human life. Their reality felt distinctly separate from mine.
My perception of birds underwent a remarkable shift during my first morning in the cottage. Naively, I anticipated the hardest adjustment to living alone in the woods would be the deafening silence. Imagine my surprise, then, when I was jolted awake at 5 a.m. by a loud knocking. My dog, equally startled, leapt to his feet and started barking at the front door.
I quickly threw on my robe and peered through the front door window. There, perched on the white siding of the cottage, was a small woodpecker with a striking red cap. The sheer sound of the bird's hammering made it impossible to ignore.
I stood there watching the woodpecker, equally mesmerized and annoyed by its rhythmic precision. Pale morning light illuminated its glossy black-and-white feathers. I grabbed one of my journals from the bedside table and through half open eyes scribbled "red-headed small woodpecker, black and white". My notes felt amateurish, but I hoped they might be useful if I was ever curious about the bird again.
After some investigation I learned that the culprit of my disrupted sleep was none other than the acorn woodpecker, a native to the Northern California oak woodlands known for its communal behavior of storing acorns in wooden structures. Much to my dismay, this particular woodpecker had taken a liking to the side of my porch. For the next two months acorns continued to shower from the oaks, accompanied by a relentless knocking on the side of my house. Both my dog and I grew accustomed to the noise. Gradually I realized that my futile resistance to the “disruption” of nature would only lead to further frustration and disappointment. The intrusion of the Acorn Woodpeckers served as a powerful lesson in radical acceptance over the things I can not control.
Acorn woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus)
The moment also proved to be a lively interruption to the solitude I had anticipated. In the weeks that followed I jotted down sporadic notes about birds in my journal during lunch breaks, between meetings, even hanging out with friends. I found myself growing more mindful and present with every bird observation. The anxiety and loneliness that I had initially feared began to dissipate, replaced by feelings of contentment.
This newfound joy inspired me to channel my bird watching observations into a creative outlet. Quickly I began to illustrate California native birds for the Hopland Research and Extension Center. These illustrations not only provided me with a fulfilling hobby but also served as a way to occupy the abundance of alone time I had living on-site. Capturing the intricate details and social behaviors of the different bird species became a meditative escape.
Allen's hummingbird (Selasphorus sasin)
Sometimes, if I was lucky, I'd look up to see the very same bird I was illustrating— a hummingbird, a raven, a jay. We would share a brief moment of coexistence, staring at each other until my subtle movements inevitably prompted it to take flight. These moments tallied. For every time I watched them, they watched me right back. With each fleeting interaction I gained a deeper appreciation for the importance of stillness and mutual respect.
California quail (Callipepla californica)
Birds serve as the not-so silent witnesses to our solitude. They coexist with us in moments of strength and vulnerability. The California quail hears me singing my favorite song through an open kitchen window. The great blue heron watches me read by the river bank. Near the porch of my cottage, a family of scrub jays chatters excitedly upon my return from work.
Inevitably I will move away from HREC, and I won't be able to take the birds with me. Instead, I'll carry the skill of birdwatching as a reminder of the connection I forged with the natural world during my time here. What began as a simple hobby has evolved into a profound understanding of the interconnectedness between all living things and the landscapes they inhabit.
I can't deny that there are still moments when feelings of loneliness or worry weigh heavily on me. After all, birds are not substitutes for human connection. They can, however, serve as momentary solace if you let them.
- Author: Ann Edahl
First, take care of yourself.
Especially when there is an excessive heat warning, plan any outside chores for the morning, when the temperatures are cooler.
Follow these other steps to prevent heat illness:
- Drink plenty of fluids, such as water and sports drinks. During hot weather, plan to have at least one quart of water available per person per hour of the outdoor activity. Avoid caffeinated drinks.
- Limit your time outdoors.
- Work in the shade when possible.
- Wear a summer hat with a brim and loose-fitting, light-colored, and lightweight clothing like cotton.
- Wear sunscreen (follow this tip whenever you're out in the sun).
- Schedule vigorous activities during the coolest portions of the day and take frequent breaks on hot days.
- If you are feeling symptoms of heat illness, take a rest period in a shaded area. Monitor others around you for symptoms as well.
- Do not overdo! Your weeds will still be there when it cools down a bit.
Next, take care of your plants.
During heat waves, our number-one gardening goal is to keep our plants alive. Plants are sensitive to soil temperature and air temperature, and both can stress them out. You will often see slowing of plant growth or even dropping of flowers during heat waves. For example, many vegetable plants stop flowering above about 90 degrees. Not all is lost, though. If you can get them through the heat wave, they should start producing again when the temps go down.
Plants cool themselves through evaporation, through the pores on their leaves. Generally speaking, the higher the temperature, the greater the water loss. One sign of this is drooping and wilted leaves. In addition, excessive exposure to sunlight can cause sunburn on leaves and stems. Sunburned leaves will be discolored and may turn brown and crispy around the edges. Plants that are highly stressed can also become more vulnerable to insect damage.
Our goal is to minimize the stress brought on by the heat and to avoid doing anything that will stress our plants even more. Here are some dos and don'ts to help mitigate damage to your plants during a heat wave.
DO
- Water your plants thoroughly in the morning if extreme heat is expected. This will help plants cope with the heat. Plants in small pots may even need to be watered twice a day. Check the soil moisture first.
- Water trees deeply and less frequently (that's right, less). The key is “deeply.” This encourages deep roots. Frequent, short periods of watering mean that the roots remain shallow.
- Use a shade cloth (even a bed sheet can work) to shade plants from direct sun and lower the air temperature around the plant.
- Harvest ripening fruit. This can help plants conserve their energy.
- Pay close attention to newly planted plants. They may need more TLC.
- Check on plants that are right next to a walkway or patio. The radiant heat from material like pavers or concrete may cause those plants to show signs of water stress first.
- Mulch, mulch, mulch! A good layer (3 to 4 inches) of mulch, such as compost or wood chips, will prevent the soil around the plant from heating up excessively and will also reduce the amount of water loss. Make sure the mulch is not directly up against the plant, as that can encourage disease.
DON'T
- Do not water midday.
- Do not prune - this will send the plant's energy toward the wound. (Pruning dead branches, especially those that may be a hazard, is fine.)
- Do not fertilize - we don't want to encourage new growth during this period.
- Do not plant or transplant during the heat of summer. It's best to wait until fall for any new planting.
Read more:
Melissa G. Womack. Hot Weather Tips for the Summer Garden. University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources.
University of California Marin Master Gardeners. Heat: Plant Stress in High Temperatures.
- Author: Kathy Keatley Garvey
In images, text, and analogies.
“Just like in a honey bee colony, it takes a team to win an award," he said, and graciously proceeded to thank all those who made it possible. Family, friends, students, postdoctoral fellows, colleagues, staff and more. Or, as he said "work performed by the cast of thousands deserve the distinguished research award."
Leal, former professor and chair of the Department of Entomology (now the Department of Entomology and Nematology) joined the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology faculty in 2013. He is first UC Davis faculty member to win Academic Senate's trifecta of coveted awards: Distinguished Teaching Award for Undergraduate Teaching (2020), Distinguished Scholarly Public Service Award (2022) and now, the Faculty Distinguished Research Award.
A week before the seminar, Leal was elected to the National Academy of Sciences.
“Dr. Leal is an internationally recognized entomologist and a world leader in his field for his groundbreaking and transformative research in insect olfaction and chemical ecology,” said UC Davis distinguished professor Bruce Hammock, who nominated Leal for the Faculty Distinguished Research Award.
Leal credits Hammock, a 25-year friend and colleague, as instrumental in “luring” him from his tenured position in the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries, Japan, to the Department of Entomology (now the Department of Entomology and Nematology) in 2000. A native of Brazil, Leal received his Ph.D. in applied biochemistry from the University of Tsukuba, Japan, with subsequent postdoctoral training in entomology and chemical ecology at the National Institute of Sericultural and Entomological Science and Cornell University, respectively.
In his letter of nomination, Hammock pointed out "I especially applaud him for elucidating the mode of action of the insect repellent DEET, developed in 1946 and known as ‘the gold standard of repellents.' Its mode of action remained an enigma for six decades until Walter's discovery. In researching the neurons in mosquito antennae sensitive to DEET, he isolated the first DEET-sensitive odorant receptor, paving the way for the development of better repellents.”
Leal's analogy of bees working together to succeed, just like what occurs in a successful lab, is spot on. The worker bees inside the hive perform specific duties: nurse maids, nannies, royal attendants, builders, architects, foragers, dancers, honey tenders, pollen packers, propolis or "glue" specialists, air conditioning and heating technicians, guards, and undertakers.
As an aside, Leal mentioned that one research project in his lab involved his daughter Helena, honey bees and her shampoo. “Helena always said the bees were bothering her and then when we collected the volatiles from her, we noticed that there was a contaminant, isoamyl acetate,” Leal told the crowd. “To make a long story short, isoamyl acetate is a chemical that elicits a very aggressive behavior. It's called a sting pheromone known from the early 1960s, and we figured out that that chemical was coming from a shampoo that she was using at that time--the so-called Aussie. So, she stopped using that shampoo and there was no problem with the bees anymore.”
Read more about his lecture here and watch his lecture at https://youtu.be/HkfhsYQE5bI.
- Author: Peggy Smith
As the summer heat creeps up on us once again, we think about how to support our gardens to keep them growing and healthy with careful watering through our long hot days. Our plants and trees are not the only components of our gardens that need the support of water. One of the identified sustainable practices for a garden is the provision of water resources. A quiet spot to sit with a cup of a favorite beverage near a water source in your garden can give a view of garden critters as they stop for a visit to bathe or drink. A healthy garden has lots of movement within it as birds, bees and insects visit the plants that not only delight us but give them sustenance, shelter, and food. A steady water source will draw bees, birds, insects, and butterflies to the garden.
There are many ways to provide water resources from the simple to the more costly and complex.
1) A very simple arrangement that will provide for both bees and birds is a plant drip tray. Take a drip tray and place some stones in it, place it in a shaded area.
2) A variety of hanging water source arrangements are available and they are great for attracting birds to the garden.
3) A moving water source can provide water for birds and entertainment for you as the birds come in and go through their drinking and bathing routines.
4) If you have the room a pond is also an excellent water supply with the added benefit of providing support for insects such as dragonflies and damselflies.
If you install a pond Mosquito Vector Control will provide small fish to take care of any mosquito larvae. https://www.fightthebite.net/services/request-service/
https://mywaterquality.ca.gov/eco_health/wetlands/images/d_delta_changes.jpg
With the disappearance of California wetlands beneficial insects such as dragonflies and damselflies have severely reduced habitat. Dragonflies and damselflies will be attracted to a pond environment. “The female Dragonflies and Damselflies lay their eggs in the water. The Dragonfly lays its eggs directly in the water, while the Damselfly inserts its eggs in underwater vegetation.” The eggs hatch within a few days and the larvae grow quickly. Each larva molts 8 to 16 times during its growth. https://sacsplash.org/learning-resource/dragonflies-and-damselflies/#:~:text=Life%20Cycle%3A,16%20times%20during%20its%20growth. Dragonfly larvae are a preferred food for small fish, so small rock piles, or tight brush piles will give them shelter. Damsel flies will eat flies, mosquitoes, and other tiny insects.
Butterflies need moisture but are unable to land on water, a patch of muddy soil is the best place for a butterfly to access water so if the ground around your drip tray or fountain is a little muddy that is a perfect place for a butterfly to sip.
Birds bathe in a water source as part of maintenance to keep feathers working well. Birds will also flock to the spray of a stationary sprinkler and perch and bathe. https://youtu.be/2hTc9vC1rZc
As with so many things balance is the key, provide water sources for our co-habitating garden critters but make sure there is not stale stagnant water that will encourage mosquito breeding.
Build it and they will come for your garden's benefit also for fun and frolic!