- Author: Chris M. Webb
For nearly 100 years the University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) has worked to extend a variety of knowledge to California’s communities. Money management outreach resources are developed by our Family and Consumer Science Advisors.
UCCE’s Making Every Dollar Count website is a practical resource and provides much knowledge to help individuals and families gain control of their money. This easily navigated website can be read or listened to and is available in both English and Spanish. Classroom setting resources are available.
Topics include:
- Setting goals
- Making choices
- Stretch your dollars
- Budgeting basics
- Paying bills on time
- When you can’t pay cash
- Saving money on food
- Food advertising
Links for additional resources can be found at the bottom of each page.
- Author: Chris M. Webb
There are three potentially destructive carpet beetles species in California. These small pests are among the most difficult indoor pests to control.
Carpet beetle larvae feed in dark, undisturbed locations on dead animals and animal products. Animal products include: fabrics such as silk, wool, leather; pet hair; and feathers. Sometimes they will feed on certain grains and spices. Carpet beetles can establish themselves in warehouses, homes, museums, and other places where suitable food exists.
UC ANR’s free downloadable publication, Carpet Beetles: Pest Notes for Home and Landscape, is a great resource to help reduce the chance of infestation and also to control and eliminate in the event these pests are found.
Topics include:
- Identification and life cycle
- Damage
- Management
- Author: Chris M. Webb
Do you know that California apple producers grow more varieties than any other state west of the Rocky Mountains? In addition to those grown in commercial orchards, apples can be grown at home in many areas of California.
UC ANR’s free publication, Apples: Safe methods to store, preserve, and enjoy provides practical information and advice to get the most out of this delicious and nutritious fruit.
Topics include:
- Nutrition
- Growing apples in the home garden
- Selecting apples from the home garden or pick-your-own site
- Selecting apples at the grocery store
- Storing fresh apples
- Safety tips for handling
- Methods for preserving
- Freezing
- Drying
- Canning
- Recipes
- Author: Chris M. Webb
A vase of cut flowers brings a bit of garden fragrance and beauty inside. Steps can be taken to extend the life of cut flowers to allow additional days of enjoyment.
UC ANR’s free downloadable publication, Extending the Freshness of Cut Flowers at Home, provides step by step instructions to get the most time from your floral arrangements regardless if the flowers are bought or picked from the garden.
- Author: Chris M. Webb
Pyrethroid’s are pesticides used to control ants, spiders and other pests. Due to the toxic runoff these pesticides can cause, the California Departments of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) has proposed restrictions on their use.
These restrictions would not pertain to individual consumers, but would affect businesses that apply them to homes, other structures and in landscape areas. The proposed regulation would not prohibit the use of pyrethroids, but would not allow businesses to apply pyrethroids when it rains, when puddles are present and over drains.
The purpose of the restrictions is to reduce contamination of surface water. According to DPR Chief Deputy Director Chris Reardon,
“Surface water monitoring data collected for the state’s regional water quality control boards and monitoring by our staff continue to show that pesticide runoff in both urban and agricultural waterways exceed levels toxic to some small aquatic organisms. Most people don’t realize that pesticides used to control ants, spiders and other pests in and around homes, commercial and industrial buildings and landscapes can affect aquatic life. While pesticide use is closely associated with agriculture, more than half of the products regulated by DPR are for commercial, industrial and home use.”
Regardless if the proposed regulation passes, we can all reduce the use of pyrethroids. To learn more, please see our previous urban runoff blog post.