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Urban Integrated Pest Management

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…

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…

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…

Pruning out old roses with bypass pruners.

Jump into Summer with these IPM Webinars!

May 21, 2026

By Yulie Velez

Looking to keep your brain stimulated this summer? Need information about garden pests? Join us every third Thursday of the 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 …

Emerald Ash Borer adults emerging from a tree.

Emerald Ash Borer Awareness Week is May 17-23, 2026

May 15, 2026

By Cherie Shook

Every year, Emerald Ash Borer Awareness Week reminds us that one small insect can have a massive impact on our communities. The emerald ash borer (EAB) is an invasive metallic green beetle that has caused the death of millions of ash trees across North America, killing nearly 100% of unprotected street trees…

Black, wilted blossoms affected by fire blight on a fruit tree.

Look Out for Fire Blight!

May 6, 2026

By Belinda Messenger-Sikes

A warm March followed by rain in April and May in many parts of California has set up the perfect conditions for the development of an unsightly and damaging tree disease called fire blight. Pome fruit trees like pear and apple, and other related trees like pyracantha, are all susceptible to this bacterial…

A long, slender, light brown insect that resembles a stick walking on a tree branch.

Stick Insects Are Cool but Can Damage Your Plants

May 5, 2026

By Belinda Messenger-Sikes

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,…

A small grey beetle with a long snout that curves downward standing on a green yellow starthistle leaf.

The Good Bugs That Control Invasive Pests (Part 2)

April 13, 2026

By Lindsey Hack

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…

A small black and orange insect with a somewhat long, spiky body crawling on a leaf.

The Good Bugs That Control Invasive Pests (Part 1)

April 9, 2026

By Lindsey Hack

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…

A person's arm wiping a white marble kitchen countertop with a white disinfectant wipe.

Spring Cleaning: Where Indoor Pests Could Be Hiding

April 1, 2026

By Lindsey Hack

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…

A brown deer with large ears laying in tall, dry grass, looking over its shoulder toward the camera.

“Deer-Resistant” Plants – Truth or Fiction?

March 26, 2026

By Robert M Timm

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…

A close-up of a California burclover plant showing deep green compound leaves with 3 leaflets, small yellow flowers, and green, round, spiny seeds.

Shamrocks, Clovers, or Weeds?

March 18, 2026

By Lindsey Hack

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…

A dense stand of spiny yellow starthistle plants with light green, spindly foliage and bright yellow flowers.

Invasive Species: Nature’s Troublemakers

March 11, 2026

By Lindsey Hack

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…

The green foliage of a small sycamore tree coated with fluffly, white patches of powdery mildew fungus.

What's That Powdery Stuff on My Plants?

March 5, 2026

By Belinda Messenger-Sikes

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…

Red hens standing in a pasture.

Pests of Backyard Chickens: Your Questions, Answered!

March 2, 2026

By Cherie Shook

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

Tree with oranges hanging off the branches.

When Life Gives You Citrus (and Pests)

February 23, 2026

By Yulie Velez

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…

Japanese beetle. Credit: D. Cappaert, Bugwood.org)

National  Invasive Species Awareness Week 2026

February 18, 2026

By Lindsey Hack

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…

Person wearing gloves pouring liquid from a measuring cup into a spray bottle on cement.

Upcoming Webinars from UC IPM

February 9, 2026

By Yulie Velez

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…

niversity Arboretum landscape, Putah Creek, and redbud, Cercis sp., Davis

UC IPM Logo Changes

February 2, 2026

By Yulie Velez

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…

Several large, brilliant purple flowers scattered over dense, deep green leaves.

When Ornamentals Escape

January 20, 2026

By Cherie Shook

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…

Urban Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

We work with professionals to improve pest control through research and education in order to protect our communities and the environment.

homepage photo2

This website provides information about urban integrated pest management (IPM) and highlights the activities of UC ANR's urban IPM program in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Residential Home and Garden IPM

IPM for your Home & Garden

Commercial Landscape IPM

IPM for Commercial Landscapes

Structural Industrial IPM

IPM for Structural & Industrial Settings

amsutherland@ucanr.edu

Contact information:

Dr. Andrew M Sutherland

SF Bay Area IPM Advisor

(510) 670-5624 office

(510) 499-2930 cell

visit the University of California's Integrated Pest Management website: http://ipm.ucanr.edu/

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