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Two most common are mule deer and black-tailed deer. Both eat shrubs, vines, fruit and nut trees, garden vegetables, grasses, and small flowering plants. Deer dislike some plants, especially when other more palatable plants are available. Signs/Symptoms Hoof prints two to three inches long, split in the…
Gophers are small burrowing rodents that feed on the roots of plants. A single gopher can inflict considerable damage in a short time. They live up to three years and eat a wide variety of vegetation, usually what they encounter while digging. Sometimes gophers feed above ground, venturing only a…
Raccoons are smart, dexterous mammals that can become very aggressive when cornered. When searching for den or food, they can be extremely destructive to homes and gardens. Raccoons communicate using a variety of sounds including purring, growling, hissing, and whistling. They eat plants and animals,…
Triangular-shaped head, short legs and long, sharp, non-retractable claws. Spray can be squirted accurately as far as six to 10 feet away as a defense mechanism. Live in burrows. Eat a varied diet. Excellent sense of smell and good hearing, but very poor vision. Healthy skunks are mild-tempered. They prefer…
Solving Problems | Top 20 Problems | Garden Pests | Weeds & Invasives | Extreme Conditions | Other Garden Problems | Biological Control & Natural Enemies | Reducing Harmful Chemicals in the Garden Vertebrate Pests - Birds, Mammals, and Reptiles A vertebrate is an animal with a backbone…
Find out why mushrooms are appearing in your garden, their causes, role in soil health, and if they’re harmful or beneficial to you, pets, and your plants.
Learn how to identify summer garden pests with DIY plant doctoring tips to protect your plants and maintain a healthy, thriving garden all season long.
Something in your garden or home bugging you? Do your roses have strange spots? Is something eating your tomatoes? The Merced Master Gardeners are here to help! Contact our Helpline to get answers to your garden challenges and pest problems. Send an email to anrmgmerced@ucanr.edu.
