- Author: Lauren Fordyce
Check out our webinars planned for summer 2024:
June 20, 2024 - Flea Control & Diseases: Starting from Scratch
Fleas are small but mighty insects that are important medical and veterinary pests. They can vector pathogens and parasites, and their bites cause discomfort and irritation. In this webinar you'll learn how to keep yourself and pets safe from fleas and flea-borne diseases.
July 18, 2024 - Common Wood Decay Fungi in Landscape Trees of California
Trees are a valuable part of our landscapes. However, older trees can harbor wood decay fungi, which can be associated with an increased risk of tree failure or branch breakage. In this webinar, urban forestry expert Igor Lacan will discuss some wood decay fungi that are commonly seen on trees in urban landscapes in California, the effect(s) of fungi on the tree, and related considerations in tree management.
August 15, 2024 - Back to School Pests
With students heading back to school, now is a good time to talk about pests in schools and childcare centers. In this webinar, Karey Windbiel-Rojas will talk about head lice, bed bugs, rats, cockroaches, and more. We will also cover the use of disinfectant wipes and pesticide safety.
September 19, 2024 - Improving Professional Ant Control Services
In California, the Argentine ant is among the most common nuisance ant species treated by pest management professionals and the general public. In this webinar, you will learn how the university researchers and pest management companies are working together to improve pest ant management in urban residential settings.
Webinar topics for October and November will be announced mid-summer.
To view recordings of our past webinars, visit the YouTube playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLo3rG4iqv4gGC9sa9Tdl_WfCV4BNMHraI
- Author: Lauren Fordyce
Mark your calendars and register now for these free IPM webinars! Learn about pest identification, prevention, and management in and around the home, garden, and landscape. Webinars are open to all members of the public and we encourage you to share them with anyone who may be interested in joining!
The UC Statewide IPM Program Urban and Community Webinar Series occurs on the third Thursday of every month from 12:00-1:00pm PST. All webinars are recorded and posted to the UC IPM YouTube channel– so don't worry if you can't attend!
January 18, 2024 – Peach Leaf Curl & Springtime Fruit Tree Diseases
Winter is a great time to control many fruit tree pests. In this webinar presented by plant pathologist Dr. Akif Eskalen, you will learn to identify and manage fruit tree diseases such as peach leaf curl, fire blight, and others.
Register at https://ucanr.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_fE6ncJItThyHQhjb24rAGA
February 15, 2024 - Controlling Springtime Weeds
With winter rains, come springtime weeds! In this webinar, weed scientist Clebson Goncalves will show you how to identify common weeds that emerge in the spring and how you can prevent or control them from popping up in your landscape.
Register at https://ucanr.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_igafr6JISpanuVeKxP7aYg
March 21, 2024 - Insect Egg Identification (Easter egg hunt!)
What are those weird eggs you found? UC IPM's Karey Windbiel-Rojas will cover different types of insect eggs you might encounter in the garden and landscape—are they pests, beneficials, or just interesting visitors?
Register at https://ucanr.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_FtjvMNOFRnui0hdP5zjTpA
April 18, 2024 - Mosquitoes & Ticks of Public Health Concern
Mosquitoes and ticks are important vectors that can spread diseases and threaten public health. In this webinar presented by Mary Sorensen from the Placer County Mosquito & Vector Control District (MVCD), you will learn about the health risks these pests pose, how you can manage them and protect yourself, and how MCVDs in California are preparing for new threats like invasive mosquitoes.
Register at https://ucanr.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_E4X0cA8WSWqAoQwtVWR4pA
May 16, 2024 - Moles, Voles, and Gophers!
Burrowing rodents like moles, voles, and gophers can wreak havoc in the garden and landscape by eating seedlings and plant roots, damaging tree bark, and making lawns unpleasant with their mounds and tunnels. Join Human-Wildlife Conflict Resolution Specialist Roger Baldwin to learn how best to manage these pests.
Register at https://ucanr.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_y8DfmVuxQhCkFpJPRoEi4A
June 20, 2024 - Flea Control & Diseases: Starting from Scratch
Fleas are small but mighty insects that are important medical and veterinary pests. They can vector pathogens and parasites, and their bites cause discomfort and irritation. In this webinar presented by Laura Krueger from the Orange County Mosquito & Vector Control District you'll learn how to keep yourself and pets safe from fleas and flea-borne diseases.
Register at https://ucanr.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Ni_preUtTna4XyOq1FD_gA
Webinars for July through November will be announced later in 2024. Follow us on Facebook or Instagram to stay up to date on new webinars, pest management tips, and more!
- Author: Lauren Fordyce
Did you know that disinfectants and sterilizers are pesticides? Any substance that claims to kill, destroy, prevent, or repel a pest, including germs, is considered a pesticide. So cleaning products that claim to sterilize or kill germs on surfaces or be effective against bacteria like E. coli or others, must be registered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The EPA ensures pesticide products are effective and do not pose unreasonable risks to consumers when used according to the label, among other things. Recently, the EPA settled a lawsuit against Grocery Outlet Inc. for selling unregistered cleaning products claiming to be disinfectants and sterilizers. To know whether a product is a registered pesticide, look for the EPA registration number on the label. As with any pesticide product, always read and follow the label so the product can be used as safely and effectively as possible.
UC IPM is committed to educating the public on pesticides and their alternatives. View some of UC IPM's resources about antimicrobial pesticides and pesticide safety below, as well as in-depth resources from the U.S. EPA.
- What You Need to Know About Disinfectant Wipes (blog post)
- Using Disinfectants and Sanitizers Safely (blog post)
- Disinfectants are pesticides–so use safely! (blog post)
- What to Wear When Using Pesticides (blog post)
- EPA Registered Disinfectants (webpage)
- About Pesticide Registration (webpage)
- Using Disinfectants and Wipes Safely (webinar)
- What is a Pesticide? (video)
- Why do you need to read the pesticide label? (video)
- Author: Lauren Fordyce
The new year brings new webinars from the UC IPM Urban and Community Program! Mark your calendars and register now for these informative presentations, held every third Thursday from 12:00-1:00pm PST.
January 19, 2023: Houseplant Problems – Is your houseplant not doing so well? Want to learn how to be a better plant parent? Join us to learn about some common pests and problems of houseplants, and how you can prevent and control them. Presented by Lauren Fordyce, Urban and Community IPM Educator. Register for this webinar
February 16, 2023: Dealing with Pantry Pests – Pests can sometimes get into our pantries and food. Join us to learn how you can prevent and control these pests at home. Presented by Karey Windbiel-Rojas, Associate Director for Urban & Community IPM/Area IPM Advisor. Register for this webinar
March 16, 2023: Preventing Pest Problems at Seeding – Damping off and fungus gnats are common pests encountered when starting seeds indoors. Join us to learn how to prevent seedling problems and grow healthy transplants. Presented by Lauren Fordyce, Urban and Community IPM Educator. Register for this webinar
April 20, 2023: Aphids, Scales, and Mealybugs, Oh my! – Honeydew producers can create a mess when they infest houseplants, garden, or landscape plants. Join us to learn how to identify, prevent, and control these troublesome pests. Presented by Karey Windbiel-Rojas, Associate Director for Urban & Community IPM/Area IPM Advisor. Register for this webinar
Can't make a webinar? Don't worry, all presentations are recorded and posted on the UC IPM YouTube channel! More webinars will be announced in early 2023.
Follow us on social media @ucipmurban for the latest IPM content and news.
- Author: Belinda J. Messenger-Sikes
- Author: Karey Windbiel-Rojas
- Posted by: Lauren Fordyce
While venomous spiders like black widows are well-known, there are many harmless spiders that live in and around our homes and outdoor areas. Spiders are beneficial because they prey on insects and other pests. Most spiders are not likely to bite you and are not dangerous.
Types of Spiders
Spider families vary by body shape, web type, hunting or other behavior, and the arrangement and size of their eyes. There is a wide range of spiders you might encounter in your home or landscape in California.
One of the most recognizable is the cellar spider. Cellar spiders have long, skinny legs and hang upside down in dark corners, often indoors, sometimes bouncing when disturbed.
Another common type of spider is the cobweb spider, which includes widow spiders. Cobweb spiders hang upside down in sticky, irregularly spun webs waiting for prey. Most cobweb species are small and harmless, except for the western black widow. Most black widow bites come from mature adult females which can usually be recognized by a red hourglass on the underside of the abdomen. The adult male is lighter-colored and smaller than the female. Brown widow spiders are becoming more common in California as well.
Wolf spiders have long, hairy legs and are often found running along the ground. They don't build webs to capture prey but can have a silken retreat. Females carry their young on their backs. Wolf spiders are frequently mistaken for the brown recluse spider, which does not occur in California.
Crab spiders have enlarged front legs and look like tiny crabs. They are also known as flower spiders since they are often found on flowers, hunting insect prey. They hunt during the day and don't make webs.
Dwarf spiders are tiny, hunt during the day, and produce sheet-like or irregular crisscross webs on surfaces.
Jumping spiders hunt during the day, stalking and pouncing on prey. They are hairy, sometimes iridescent, and don't spin webs.
Sac spiders hide in silk tubes in places such as corners, beneath plants, or on bark, and stalk prey at night. They occur both indoors and out and are usually pale colored.
Orb weaver or garden spiders, such as the western spotted orb weaver are often large and colorful. They spin elaborate webs in concentric circles in the garden, waiting in their webs or nearby for prey to become entangled.
Many people dislike spiders, but generally they are not harmful and are useful to have around. Unwanted spider in your house? Trap it and take it outside.
