Pests in the Urban Landscape

Urban neighborhood and park.

The Pests in the Urban Landscape blog shares the latest resources and information from the UC IPM Urban & Community team to help you sustainably manage pests in the home, garden, and landscape. 

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Campfire burning

Camping, Firewood, and Hitchikers

June 4, 2026
By Cherie Shook
Visiting Yosemite National Park is an awe-inspiring experience, even for the most seasoned of travelers. The valleys, waterfalls, giant sequoias, and iconic Glacier Point are all bucket list destinations ideal for a family camping vacation. To continue enjoying beautiful parks like Yosemite, it is important…
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Adult japanese beetles, one with two macrotype parasite eggs of Hyperecteina aldrichi (Tachinidae) on its thorax

Protect California from Invasive Species

June 2, 2026
By Yulie Velez
Help raise awareness of invasive species by participating in the California Invasive Species Action Week (CISAW) held June 6-14, 2026! Invasive species are non-native pests that can negatively impact our waters, native ecosystems, agriculture, health, and economy. Each day during the week, UC IPM will…
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Hand and arm covered with glove and long sleeve spraying clear mist from a bottle onto a green shrub.

Understanding Pesticides

June 2, 2026
By Belinda Messenger-Sikes
Many tools are available to help gardeners, pest management professionals, and growers practice sustainable pest management without the use of pesticides. Sometimes, however, a pest infestation is too high or nonchemical methods haven’t worked, so the next solution might be to use a pesticide. Pesticides are…
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Glassy-winged sharpshooter adult and (out-of-focus) nymph on green lemon twig.

Purchased a Grapevine at Costco in N. CA Recently? Read This!

May 28, 2026
By Karey Windbiel-Rojas
Updated May 29, 2026 at 4:30pmAn invasive insect called the glassy-winged sharpshooter (GWSS) has been found on grapevine shipments sold at select Costco locations in Northern California between April 21 and May 21, 2026. Note that the timeframe for grapevine plants sold at Costco has been extended to April…
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group of people standing around a dog and man during a demonstration

Dogs with jobs: Pups go on pest patrol as rodenticides phase out

May 27, 2026
By Caroline D Champlin
[Originally featured on the Green Blog] UC Cooperative Extension explores how dogs can help detect, control rodent populationsJJ has a uniform to keep himself safe on the job. As a consummate professional, he always wears a collar. A harness fits snugly around his shoulders. When he treads on dangerous…
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