Urban Integrated Pest Management

Have you ever seen a walking stick insect, maybe in a museum display or at an entomology demonstration? They look just like twigs and are fascinating creatures. This makes them popular as pets in classrooms and homes. However, if pet walking sticks are accidentally or purposefully let out of their cages,…

In Part 1 of this story, we covered some basics of biological control. Now let’s talk about some of the good bugs helping to control invasive pests in California. Controlling yellow starthistle one weevil at a time Yellow starthistle (or YST) is a harmful invasive plant that is established and…

You have probably heard about the “good bugs” that eat pest insects around your home and garden, like ladybugs, lacewings, and spiders. You may have even purchased some beneficial insects or nematodes at a garden store. Good bugs can also help us manage invasive species, but the process is a bit more…

Spring has arrived! Along with warmer weather and blooming flowers (and seasonal allergies for some of us!), you may have also noticed more insects and spiders roaming your home. If these unwanted houseguests have you thinking about cleaning and clearing up some clutter, join the UC IPM Urban & Community…

Is there such a thing as a deer-proof plant? Perhaps…but there are a variety of reasons deer may choose to ignore or consume specific plant species at a particular time and place.  Certain plants native to California (and elsewhere) have evolved natural defenses against being eaten by browsing…

St. Patrick’s Day makes us think about shamrocks and all things green. With recent warm weather following winter rains, your lawn or garden might be dressing up for Saint Patrick’s Day and Spring with clovers and other weeds.  Clovers begin to germinate in the fall and continue throughout winter…

California is famous for its scenic wilderness and biological diversity. Unfortunately, our state’s unique ecosystems are in danger, and invasive species are among the biggest threats to our environment. Invasive species can cause all kinds of environmental damage, such as harming wildlife, disrupting our…

Have you seen white powdery-looking patches appearing on the leaves of your roses or sycamore trees? While home gardeners may be familiar with this sign of the plant disease powdery mildew on their veggies, ornamental plants and landscape trees can also be infected. In addition to those powdery spots, the…

Dr. Amy Murillo an Assistant Professor at the University of California Riverside specializing in veterinary entomology, answered questions from our webinar attendees.

Citrus season is here! And some citrus pests may be too. Perhaps you’ve encountered a few ant problems with your citrus trees, but did you know there are other pests you should be on the lookout for such as psyllids, leafminers, cottony cushion scale, and mealybugs? Read more below for tips on how to…

This week (February 23-27, 2026) is National Invasive Species Awareness Week (NISAW), an event dedicated to raising awareness about invasive species, the threats they pose, and how we can slow their spread. When it comes to invasive species, your actions can have a big impact! What Can You Do? Take…

If you missed our first Urban & Community IPM webinar of the year, Pests of Backyard Chickens, don’t fret, we have more for you! Join us every third Thursday of the month from 12:00pm to 1:00pm PT to learn about a wide range of urban pest management topics. This series is free and open to the…

You may have noticed some recent changes on UC IPM web pages, printed material, and social media! The University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) recently launched new logos for all UC ANR statewide programs. This redesign aims to create a more unified brand, enhance the visual appeal…

You might be surprised to learn that a few of your favorite ornamental plants are invasive to California and can “escape” your yard causing big problems in the wild. When plants escape landscape and garden boundaries, it is often due to seed distribution or aggressive roots. An invasive plant species can…

Winter rains and damp conditions in many parts of California may have brought a surprise visitor to your lawn: mushrooms! A few mushrooms sprouting in your lawn can be a good sign: it means there's plenty of organic matter in the soil. But if patches of mushrooms are sprinkled across your lawn, something…

Forget Spotify Wrapped – can you guess which pests received the most hits on UC IPM’s Pests Notes page this year? Here are the top ten pests that made your year: (1) Carpet Beetles  For several years, carpet beetles have been in the top 5 on our playlist. Immature carpet beetles feed on…

From the UC IPM Urban and Community team, we’d like to wish you a happy holiday season! As we reflect on this past year, we’d like to express our gratitude to all of you for joining us to learn about pest management around the home and garden.  This year, we’ve connected with you in various ways:…

Winter is peak citrus season, and a time when many people gift their home-grown fruit to friends and loved ones. This holiday season, we would like to remind everyone that harmful invasive pests can move to new areas on citrus fruit. There are several active quarantines in California aimed at slowing the…

The new year is just around the corner, and along with it will come new Urban and Community IPM Webinars! Join us every third Thursday of each month from 12:00 to 1:00pm PST to learn about a wide range of urban pest management topics. This series is free and open to the public but advance registration is…