Looking for other vegetables or melons? Check out our full collection of vegetable growing tips on our website or visit the California Garden Web for more information.
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- Author: Tunyalee A. Martin
- Author: Cheryl A. Wilen
- Author: Thomas Getts
- Author: Jutta Burger, Cal-IPC
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California has abundant wildlands — forests, rangeland, open areas, wildlife refuges and national, state, and local parks — that need protection from invasive plants. Invasive plants affect all Californians by increasing wildfire potential; reducing water resources; accelerating erosion and flooding; threatening wildlife; degrading range, crop and timberland; and diminishing outdoor recreation opportunities. According to the California Invasive Plant Council (Cal-IPC), more than 200 identified plant species harm California's wildlands.
Cal-IPC and the University of California Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program (UC IPM), with funding from the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) Alliance Grants Program, developed two resources that provide land managers access to the latest information on non-herbicide practices for managing weeds in wildlands. Best Management Practices for Non-Chemical Weed Control is a free downloadable manual. The same information has been incorporated into an interactive online tool called WeedCUT (Weed Control User Tool: weedcut.ipm.ucanr.edu).
Read more about these new resources for non-chemical weed control from the Green Blog.
Wildlife in California is an important natural resource that many people appreciate in their natural habitats and strive to protect. However, sometimes vertebrate animals can become pests in our homes, gardens, schools, parks, and landscapes and management efforts are needed.
But identifying what has burrowed under the porch, eaten the fruit on your trees, or caused holes in the lawn can be difficult if you don't see the culprit in action. If you think you have an animal pest but are not sure what it is, the new UC IPM Wildlife Pest Identification Tool will help you narrow down potential vertebrate pests using signs such as typical damage, tracks, and droppings (scat).
The wildlife pest identification tool is the newest diagnostic assistance feature on the UC IPM website. Check it out today! Over the next several months, we'll continue making additions and improvements to the tool, including adding more photos and information.
We're looking for your feedback! Please consider taking a quick, anonymous survey to help us serve you better: https://bit.ly/2ZJJVEI
- Author: Elaine Lander
We've recently updated many of our vegetable guides to make it easier to find information on pests and disorders of different vegetables and cultural practices to improve plant health and reduce pests. Visit our website to see the new layout and updated information for many commonly grown cool season and warm season vegetables.
And keep coming back as other new vegetables will be added soon! Want to be notified when UC IPM resources are updated? Subscribe to our blog: https://ucanr.edu/blogs/UCIPMurbanpests/index.cfm Happy Gardening!
We're looking for your feedback! Please consider taking a quick, anonymous survey to help us serve you better: https://bit.ly/2ZJJVEI
- Author: Elaine Lander
Beneficial insects can provide a lot of support in the garden. Natural enemies, which include predators, parasites, and pathogens, reduce pest populations and can help prevent damage to plants. Pollinators such as honeybees, native bees, butterflies, beetles, and other insects are essential for many vegetables you may be growing.
Natural Enemies
You may not have noticed many of these parasites, pathogens, and predators that help control pests in the garden, but they are there! Lady beetles (ladybugs), lacewings, and predaceous ground beetles are some common predators that you may find in your garden or landscape. These natural enemies eat soft-bodied insects including aphids, whiteflies, mites, and thrips. Parasites are organisms that live and feed inside a larger host. In the garden, these include small parasitic wasps that feed on aphids, whiteflies, and caterpillars. Some parasites attack eggs while others attack insects.
Our Pest Notes: Biological Control and Natural Enemies of Invertebrates and the natural enemies gallery on the UC IPM website has more information. For a handy photo guide, you can also download our Beneficial Predators and Parasites of Insect Pests Quick Tips cards in English or Spanish.
Pollinators
Honeybees get a lot of attention as pollinators but did you know there are many other pollinating insects? Bumble bees, native bees such as the squash bee, butterflies, moths, beetles, and even earwigs can help pollinate flowers in your gardens and landscapes.
For more information on pollinators, check out the UC Davis Arboretum and the California Garden Web.
To maintain healthy populations of beneficial insects, be sure to practice integrated pest management. See these resources on our website to protect natural enemies and pollinators. And as you relax this Labor Day weekend, we hope you'll take time to notice the beneficial insects laboring in the garden.
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