Urban Integrated Pest Management

Tiny but destructive, the emerald ash borer (EAB) is an invasive beetle that has killed millions of ash trees across North America. In some cases, infested regions have lost nearly 100% of their ash trees to this pest. Though EAB has not yet been found in California, it was detected on the West Coast for the…

Squash bugs are a common pest in vegetable gardens, where they can be found on squash, pumpkin, and melon. They can cause leaves to become speckled and turn yellow. Heavy feeding can cause plants to wilt or die, and fruit to rot.These pests remain in the garden during the winter, hiding under dead leaves,…

Tree-of-heaven, Ailanthus altissima, was originally from China and became a popular landscape shade tree in the 1800’s. However, its rapid growth, aggressive spread, and native habitat disruption have made it a global problem. Reproducing rapidly through dense root suckers and wind dispersal of its “winged”…

Some indoor pests can just be a nuisance; others can also be a health risk. Did you know that cockroaches and rodents are known to trigger asthma symptoms and lead to the development of allergic asthma for some people? This month, we recognize Asthma Awareness Month and share how you can reduce indoor…

When you spot a plant in your garden that doesn’t look healthy, how do you figure out what’s wrong with it? Plant problems can be caused by insects, mites, vertebrates, environmental conditions, and diseases, but it can sometimes be hard to tell which is causing the problem. UC IPM's Plant Problem…

Dandelions can be an especially troublesome weed in lawns and landscapes. Once they're established, dandelions readily regrow from their deep taproot when only the tops are removed or mowed. Dandelions can regrow if even 1 inch of the taproot remains. The best way to get rid of dandelions is to control them…

Lady beetles (known more commonly as ladybugs) are often sold in nurseries and garden centers to control aphids. But will releasing them actually solve your pest problem, and if so, how can you release them correctly? There are about 200 species of lady beetles in California, varying in color, size, and…

Hantavirus has been in the news a lot lately. Betsy Arakawa, wife of the late actor Gene Hackman, recently passed away in New Mexico due to the disease and California has already seen 3 hantavirus-related deaths this year. In this article we share information to help you understand hantavirus and what you…

Bermuda buttercup (Oxalis pes-caprae), also called buttercup oxalis or sourgrass, might be a familiar sight in winter and spring, particularly to those who live in coastal regions or the Sacramento Valley. Some people enjoy seeing this plant’s cheerful yellow flowers pop up in their spring gardens, but for…

When using pesticides and other garden chemicals, you should always wear personal protective equipment (PPE) to keep yourself safe. Pesticides can enter the body via the eyes, skin, nose, or mouth. The skin is the most common way pesticides enter our bodies, usually by splashing, spillage, or spray drift…

Join UC IPM for a free webinar on the invasive Mediterranean Oak Borer (MOB) and other important oak tree pests on April 10, 2025 from 6:00pm to 7:30pm. The Mediterranean Oak Borer (MOB) is an invasive ambrosia beetle that infests several species of white oaks in California: valley oak, blue oak,…

At UC IPM we recognize pesticide safety education every month, but February in particular is National Pesticide Safety Education Month! Below are some simple tips for using pesticides safely to protect yourself, others, wildlife, and the environment.

From February 24 - 28, 2025, help increase public awareness of invasive species and join the fight against invasive species by participating in National Invasive Species Action Week (NISAW).

Recent rainfall throughout much of California has created puddles and stagnant water. With the temperature warming up in many parts of the state, this combination can create the perfect situation for mosquitoes to breed. We encourage you to drain after the rain to reduce mosquito-breeding sites.

As of January 1, 2025, popular lawn and garden pesticides belonging to the neonicotinoid class, can no longer be used by home gardeners on outdoor fruit trees, lawns, or ornamental plants in California.

A well-watered plant that suddenly wilts or unexpectedly drops its leaves could be infected with the soil pathogen Phytophthora. The disease it causes, Phytophthora root and crown rot, can affect many plants, including ornamental trees and shrubs, fruit trees, and vegetables.

UC IPM recently hosted a webinar on rat management presented by Dr. Niamh Quinn. During this webinar attendees were able to ask the expert their burning questions about rats and their management. Below are responses to common questions from the webinar.

As the end of 2024 approaches, I'd like to reflect on the UC IPM Urban and Community program's accomplishments and share what's to come from us in 2025.

In a recent TikTok video, a woman's holiday baking spree came to a halt when she discovered bugs in her flour. While initially alarmed, the woman was also intrigued.