Invasive Species

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A dense stand of spiny yellow starthistle plants with light green, spindly foliage and bright yellow flowers.
Pests in the Urban Landscape: Article

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…
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Japanese beetle. Credit: D. Cappaert, Bugwood.org)
Pests in the Urban Landscape: Article

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…
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Several large, brilliant purple flowers scattered over dense, deep green leaves.
Pests in the Urban Landscape: Article

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…
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Many orange fruits and leaves photographed from above.
Pests in the Urban Landscape: Article

Don't Give Pests This Holiday Season

December 16, 2025
By Lindsey Hack
Winter is peak citrus season, and a time when many people gift their home-grown fruit to friends and loved ones. This holiday season, we would like to remind everyone that harmful invasive pests can move to new areas on citrus fruit. There are several active quarantines in California aimed at slowing the…
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Many spindly, light green plants with bright yellow flowers growing close together.
UC Master Gardener Program Statewide Blog: Article

Invasive Species: Nature’s Troublemakers

November 14, 2025
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…
View Article
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A light green plant with many branching stems and bright yellow, spiky flowers.
Pests in the Urban Landscape: Article

Managing Invasive Plants: Your Questions Answered!

September 22, 2025
By Lindsey Hack
UC IPM recently hosted a webinar about invasive plant management in California. During the presentation, our speakers Constance Taylor and Jutta Burger from the California Invasive Plant Council (Cal-IPC) answered live questions from attendees. Below are some of those questions and answers. If you…
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A bright red strawberry with a damaged, mushy section that has a tiny, white, worm-like maggot on it.
Pests in the Urban Landscape: Article

Is That a Maggot in My Berry?

September 8, 2025
By Cherie Shook
 A little red-eyed fly is trending on social media for all the wrong reasons. Why? Because people are finding maggots in some of their berries! Sounds gross, but what is it?   This small fly, called spotted-wing drosophila (SWD), love soft-skinned fruits such as cherries, blueberries,…
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Tree of Heaven
UC Master Gardener Program Statewide Blog: Article

Closing a Chapter, Celebrating Success: Tree-of-Heaven Scouting Project Wrap-Up

August 20, 2025
By Lauren L Snowden
We’re thrilled to celebrate the incredible success of the tree-of-heaven scouting portion of the Invasive Species Scout Project. Thanks to the passion, curiosity, and dedication of our UC Master Gardener volunteers, this community science initiative surpassed all expectations. Over the past year and a half,…
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A brown shield-shaped insect walking on a green leaf.
Pests in the Urban Landscape: Article

New Invasive Pests Webinar Mini-Series

July 22, 2025
By Lindsey Hack
Invasive species are reshaping California’s natural and urban landscapes. UC IPM’s new Invasive Species Mini-Series explores the many ways invasive species impact our lives, from harmful garden pests and aquatic hitchhikers to destructive tree pests, invasive weeds, and the policies that guide prevention and…
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