Pest Management & Plant Health

There's so much to know about bark beetles! How can a tiny insect wreak such havoc in our forests? Two USDA forest entomologists will be presenting in-person and virtual seminars at the University of California, Davis on Tuesday, Jan. 31 and Wednesday, Feb. 1.

USDA forest research entomologist Chris Fettig of the USDA's Pacific Southwest Research Station, Davis, will speak on "Bark Beetles: How Tiny Insects Are Transforming Western Forests with a Little Help From Climate Change" at a seminar sponsored by the UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematolog...

USDA Forest Service research entomologist Justin Runyon of the Rocky Mountain Research Station, Montana, will present a special UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology in-person and virtual seminar on "Secrets of a Long Life: Chemical Defense of Bark Beetles by Bristlecone Pines" on Tuesday...

[Originally featured in the Winter 2022 Issue of UC IPM's Green Bulletin Newsletter] Weeds can be a problem in any landscaped areas including around trees, shrubs, flower beds, or lawns and turf.

The beetles are coming! The beetles are coming! From boring beetles to burying beetles...and beetles from Belize and more... And you're invited. The Bohart Museum of Entomology is hosting an open house, themed "Beetles," from 1 to 4 p.m., Sunday, Jan.

Richard Smith1, Eric Brennan2, JP Dundore Arias3, Daniel Geisseler4, Peter Henry2, Danyal Kasapligil5, Nicholas LeBlanc2, Karen Lowell6, Jeff Mitchell4, Joji Muramoto7, Radomir Schmidt4, Kate Scow4 and Yu-Chen Wang1 1 UCCE Monterey; 2 USDA ARS, Salinas; 3 CSU, Monterey Bay; 4 UC Davis; 5 De La...

Invasive pest species threaten California's natural environment and can have an impact on public health. Help spread the word about these invasive species and how to limit their introduction, spread, and harm. Learn to recognize these pests and distinguish them from look-alikes.

[Originally published on the UC Master Gardener Program Statewide Blog on January 10, 2023] Proper irrigation and drainage are critically important for the health of plants and trees.

An immense amount of rain has fallen across California in recent weeks. While rain is incredibly beneficial, in excess it can cause serious problems. The continued wet conditions opens the door for many pests, so see the list of dos and don'ts below for common wet weather pest prevention tips.

Sugar-feeding ants protect pests that infect trees and damage the fruit they bear. Insecticides are often a go-to solution, but may kill beneficial insects in the process, too.