Pests in the Urban Landscape

Urban neighborhood and park.

The Pests in the Urban Landscape blog shares the latest resources and information from the UC IPM Urban & Community team to help you sustainably manage pests in the home, garden, and landscape. 

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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…
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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 …
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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…
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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…
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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,…
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