Pest Management & Plant Health

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“If it’s growing close to your house, there’s a potential it could send its rhizomes and break through your foundation,” says Jatinder Aulakh, an assistant weed scientist at the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station. Photo from Japanese Knotweed Solutions, Ltd.
UC Weed Science (weed control, management, ecology, and minutia): Article

Oh, No, Not Knotweed!

February 1, 2021
By Gale Perez
Thanks to our friend at Cornell (Lynn Sosnoskie) for sharing the article,"Oh, No, Not Knotweed!" by Henry Grabar from the Pocket Worthy website. Oh, No, Not Knotweed! It's been over four years since I bought hypodermic needles at a CVS, squatted in my backyard, and drew them full of glyphosate.
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Downed tree with exposed roots in front of residence.
Pests in the Urban Landscape: Article

Storm Damage in Landscapes

January 27, 2021
Strong winds from the latest winter storm have downed trees and branches throughout Northern California and may have also damaged plants in your garden and landscape. Further damage from wind or hail can be reduced with proper cultural care.
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Close up image of adult bed bug.
Pests in the Urban Landscape: Article

Californians get advice to stop bed bugs

January 22, 2021
By Pamela S Kan-Rice
Bed bugs can hitch rides on secondhand furniture, luggage, backpacks and other personal items to invade homes and attack people. While we rest and sleep on sofas and beds, the insects come out to feed. They want to suck our blood.
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Virginia creeper with some flower buds. Photo credit Linnaeus~commons. CC-3.0
The Backyard Gardener: Article

Virginia Creeper: A Plant I've Grown to Hate

January 20, 2021
By Dustin W Blakey
Usually I write up little articles on plants I like, but this post is about a plant I've learned to detest since moving to Owens Valley: Virginia creeper. Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) is related to grapes. Except for the obviously different foliage it has a similar growth pattern.
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Thrips is a major pest of lettuce production in Salinas. (Illustration courtesy of Daniel Hasegawa)
Bug Squad: Article

Research Entomologist Daniel Hasegawa Targets Thrips

January 18, 2021
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
They're small, about 1 mm long or less, with characteristic fringed wings. They fly, but not well. But thrips do pack a powerful punch. A major pest of many agricultural crops, including lettuce, they damage plants by (1) sucking their juices and (2) transmitting viruses.
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