- Author: Chris M. Webb
Coyotes are native to western North America. They are extremely adaptable animals and can live in almost any habitat. Except for Hawaii, coyotes live in all of the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
They can live successfully alone or in packs. Territories can be greater than 15 square miles where food is scarce to as small as one quarter of a square mile in the suburbs where food is plentiful. Some of the highest population densities on record occur in suburban Southern California.
To learn more about coyotes and how to minimize the likelihood of contact with them, please see UC ANR’s Integrated Pest Management’s Coyote publication.
This publication includes:
- Identification and biology
- Identifying coyote damage
- Predator damage management, past and present
In addition UC ANR has a CoyoteBytes website. The site is designed to “provide information to homeowners, land managers, agency personnel and others to help solve coyote-human conflicts, particularly in urban and suburban areas.” This site is rich in photographs and resources for further information.
- Author: Chris M. Webb
Aphids are a common problem in home gardens and landscapes. Aphid populations can increase quickly. During periods of warm weather one aphid can produce up to 80 offspring in a week. At the end of the following week those 80 can produce up to 6,400 more.
UC ANR has an aphids pest notes, which can be viewed and downloaded for free. This publication has information to help you to reduce problems that aphids may bring. It includes the following:
- Identification
- Life cycle
- Damage
- Management
Pest notes on different topics and much more can be found on the UC Integrated Pest Management (IPM) website.
Rose aphids
Curled, distorted leaves caused by aphid damage.
The lady beetle is a natural enemy of aphids.
- Author: Chris M. Webb
The University of California has a learning management system (LMS), an online learning site open to everyone. Some of the courses are free, including one for citrus integrated pest management (IPM).
California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) credits are available for some courses.
4-H child safety online can also be viewed through LMS. This course is part of the process to become a 4-H Volunteer Leader.
This is a relatively new site, and more classes will most likely be added in the future. Registration is easy. To find out more, or to sign up for a class follow this link.
- Author: Chris M. Webb
Ants are a common a pest. Did you know that the household pesticides commonly used to control them are major contributors to water quality problems in California?
Pyrethroid insecticides are the chemicals typically used to control ants in and around residential structures. After the insecticides are applied they find their way into our waterways via urban runoff. Even at low concentrations, these chemicals can be toxic to aquatic organisms. With a few changes in our behavior, we can greatly reduce the amount of these pesticides in our water. For ways to reduce ants around your home visit UC’s urban pest management online or view this video.More information about urban ant management and other UC IPM projects can be found in the 2009 Annual Report UC Statewide IPM Program Highlights.
Life Cycle of the Argentine Ant
Crack in pavement can be a nesting site for ants or other pests.
Large gap near ceiling pipe in school kitchen allowing ants and other pests to travel to connecting rooms.
- Author: Chris M. Webb
As previously mentioned on our blog, the spotted wing drosophilia (formerly known as the cherry vinegar fly) has caused much damage to fruit in some California counties, including ours. UCCE scientists have worked hard since its arrival to find ways to minimize the damage to crops.
A UC Pest Management Guidelines publication for the spotted wing drosophila has recently been released. It can be downloaded for free. Other free UC Pest Management publications, arranged by crops, can be found here. Free pest information for homeowners and natural environments can be found at UC’s IPM home page.
