Gardening

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Residues from urban pesticide applications may be washed into storm drains and lead directly into creeks, rivers, and oceans. Credit: Petr Kosina, UC IPM.
Pests in the Urban Landscape: Article

Last-minute CEUs for DPR License

December 5, 2022
By Lauren Fordyce
Are you in need of some last-minute CEUs for 2022? We're pleased to announce that a new online course on runoff and surface water protection is available and offered for free.
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Disinfecting a surface.

Use Caution with Disinfectants

December 1, 2022
By Lauren Fordyce
With Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection (RSV) on the rise, and Covid-19 and the flu remaining constant worries, disinfectant products are more and more likely to be used in the home, office, school, restaurant, and other public areas.
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Giving Tuesday 2022.
Pests in the Urban Landscape: Article

Support IPM Education Across California

November 29, 2022
By Lauren Fordyce
Today is #GivingTuesday! a global day of giving that harnesses the collective power of individuals to celebrate generosity.
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Male turkey toms roaming a neighborhood. Credit: Karey Windbiel-Rojas.
Pests in the Urban Landscape: Article

Turkey Time

November 17, 2022
By Lauren Fordyce
With many people thinking about turkey this time of year, we thought we would provide some interesting facts about wild turkeys for you to share during your holiday gatherings! Turkeys are not native to California but were introduced by European settlers.
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Wild blackberries growing along a roadway and encroaching into the home landscape. [Credit: Scott Oneto]
Pests in the Urban Landscape: Article

When Blackberries Go Wild

November 4, 2022
By Lauren Fordyce
Ripe, juicy, sweet blackberries: what's not to love? Blackberries are grown for us to eat and enjoy, but some species can be considered weeds when they take over home landscapes, roadsides and waterways, and other areas.
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Adult brown widow spider with egg sacs. Photo by Mike Lewis, CISR.
Pests in the Urban Landscape: Article

Invasive Pest Spotlight: Brown Widow Spider

October 24, 2022
By Karey Windbiel-Rojas, Lauren Fordyce
The invasive pest spotlight focuses on emerging or potential invasive pests in California. In this issue, we cover the brown widow spider.
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Crab spider on a flower. Photo by Leslie J. Mehrhoff, Bugwood.
Pests in the Urban Landscape: Article

Common Spiders Around the Home

October 19, 2022
By Belinda Messenger-Sikes, Karey Windbiel-Rojas, Lauren Fordyce
While venomous spiders like black widows are well-known, there are many harmless spiders that live in and around our homes and outdoor areas. Spiders are beneficial because they prey on insects and other pests. Most spiders are not likely to bite you and are not dangerous.
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Adult house mouse. Photo by Jack Kelly Clark.
Pests in the Urban Landscape: Article

Rodent Awareness Week 2022

October 19, 2022
By Lauren Fordyce
You may not think about rodents such as rats, mice, or gophers until they become a pest around your home. Because rodents can be major pests in and around homes, gardens, landscapes, restaurants, and other buildings, each year pest control experts celebrate Rodent Awareness Week.
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Most spiders, like this jumping spider, prefer to hide from people. [Credit: Dustin Hume, Unsplash]
Pests in the Urban Landscape: Article

Spiders: Should You Be Afraid?

October 17, 2022
By Lauren Fordyce
Arachnophobia: Should You Be Afraid of Spiders? Fear of spiders, arachnophobia, is a widespread problem in western societies. This fear is not only of spiders but can extend to all land arthropods with more than six legsthe arachnids.
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Ficus tree.
Pests in the Urban Landscape: Article

Webinars!

October 4, 2022
By Lauren Fordyce
The UC IPM Urban & Community Program hosts monthly webinars that are free and open to the public. Join us every third Thursday from 12pm-1pm for helpful pest related information. All webinars are recorded and posted on the UC IPM YouTube channel soon after.
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