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There are three species of scorpions found in the southern part of California and throughout the southwestern US. From the descriptions of these species given, the stripedtail scorpion is the most common.
Skunks do not hibernate in California. However, during colder periods of the year, they will den up for periods of time. Skunks do not like to dig any more than absolutely necessary, so they prefer to den in abandoned burrows made by squirrels, foxes or coyotes.
Even though you may not like the process handpicking is an excellent way to start controlling snails and slugs. I was able to reduce the snail population by 85-90% (my estimate) by going on snail patrol at night. A flashlight and an empty milk carton are all that is needed.
Fall is spider season on the Central Coast and in many other areas of California as well. The most obviously active spiders during this season are the garden spiders, which weave large circular webs between bushes, trees, and vines to catch insects. Orb-weavers and Araneus spp.
The tobacco budworm adult is a grayish-brown moth that is active primarily at night. She deposits eggs on the leaves and shoots of the host, and the larva feed on all parts of the plant, but appear to prefer flowers, buds, and young seed pods.
Whiteflies are actually more closely related to aphids, scales and mealybugs. They are not flies. Whitefly populations are increase rapidly in the warm, long days of summer, and they will be around until the weather cools and the rains of late fall begin.
Summer and fall is yellow jacket season almost everywhere. There are several wasps, which are very active provisioning the nests and feeding their young. Yellow jackets and paper wasps are very common on the Central Coast.
California live and valley oaks and Armillaria mellea (oak root fungus) both evolved in a climate of winter rains and summer drought (Mediterranean climate).
In a yard and home landscape situation your control alternatives are very limited. In commercial situations several fumigant materials can be used to suppress Armillaria mellea infected sites. However, none of these materials are registered for use in residential landscape situations.
