Ongoing research

Cooperative Extension Ventura County: Page

Can You Rent a Christmas Tree

I know of no such service on the Central Coast. You might try calling your local nursery to see if they rent plants. There are also organizations that rent live plants for special occasions (weddings, banquets, conventions). Try the yellow pages or call your local chamber of commerce.
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Cooperative Extension Ventura County: Page

Carpet Beetle

The adult carpet beetle may be all black or may be grayish-brown with white spots. Adults are about one-eighth inch long. They are almost round in shape. Carpet beetles can come into your house in several ways. Adults can fly in. You might bring them in on flowers or other plant material.
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Cooperative Extension Ventura County: Page

Cloths Moth

The adult clothes moth is a 1/4 to 3/8-inch long tan to yellowish insect. It has narrow wings fringed with long hairs. The female will lay her eggs on wool or other animal fibers. The larva that hatch will grow into 1/3-inch long white to cream colored worms with a dark head at maturity.
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Cooperative Extension Ventura County: Page

Drugstore Beetle

They are a very general feeder and will consume a great variety of stored foods, seeds, pet food, spices, and pastry mixes. This beetle lays eggs in almost any dry, organic substance. The eggs hatch into a small, white grub, which causes most of the feeding damage in the stored product.
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Cooperative Extension Ventura County: Page

Fungus Gnat

The adult fungus gnat is a small (2-3 mm) black fly with clear wings. They are very slender and delicate and resemble a miniature mosquito.Fungus gnats lay their eggs on/in the growing medium in the pot. The larva feed on organic matter, algae and fungi in the potting soil.
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Cooperative Extension Ventura County: Page

Lacewing

What you found is aphidlion. It is probably looking for food on your birdcage. This is the larval stage of a lacewing. Both the adult lacewing and the larvae (aphidlion) feed on aphids, spider mites, mealybugs, and other small insects. Hence, they are considered beneficial.
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Cooperative Extension Ventura County: Page

Little Black Ant

Monomorium minimum Their runways are common outside around the house and yard, and they will nest under the sideway, in flower pots, under stones, and in houses.
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Cooperative Extension Ventura County: Page

Oak Bark Beetle in the Home

The oak bark beetle is about 1/8 inch long, dark brown, and about 1 millimeter in diameter. The adult female lays her eggs on dead or dying oak. It was probably brought into the home with firewood. The larva burrow in and feed, usually in the cambium region of the wood.
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Cooperative Extension Ventura County: Page

Patio Plants

As the days get warmer, patio plants that have spent the winter indoors can be moved outside again. If and when this is done, a few precautions should be observed. First, do not move your plants outside permanently all at once.
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Cooperative Extension Ventura County: Page

Rats

Two types of rats are common invaders of residences. The Norway rat and the roof rat. The Norway rat is a larger animal than the roof rat. Its eyes and ears are small, and the tail is shorter than the combined head and body length.
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