Pest Management & Plant Health

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Cobwebs on top of a patch of brown grass.
Pests in the Urban Landscape: Article

Cobwebs Everywhere?

July 30, 2024
By Lauren Fordyce
Are you noticing an abundance of cobwebs outside, on plants, fences, homes, or outdoor furniture? While many people fear spiders or dislike their cobwebs, most spiders are beneficial to have around even in the home! Spiders are predators of many insect pests and rarely cause harm to people.
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UC Rice Blog: Article

Rats in rice

July 22, 2024
By Sarah Marsh Janish
We have had some interesting calls lately concerning issues we do not usually see in the fields. We have received calls about small circular areas with snipped rice in fields west of I-5.
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Close-up of the larvae of the greater wax moth (Galleria mellonella), pests of honey bee colonies. Also shown is another bee colony pest, a hive beetle. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Bug Squad: Article

Why These Moths Are Unwanted

July 18, 2024
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
As we gather to celebrate moths during National Moth Week (traditionally held the last full week in July and to be observed areawide on Saturday night, July 20 at the Bohart Museum of Entomology at UC Davis), folks single out their favorites and non-favorites. For the beekeepers that's easy.
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A person looking at a bottle of 20% acetic acid vinegar weed killer with a signal word DANGER.
Pests in the Urban Landscape: Article

Can I Use Vinegar to Control Weeds?

July 18, 2024
By Lauren Fordyce
Acetic acid, also known as vinegar, is used in products for weed control. Many people choose it because it is natural. However, acetic acid can damage skin and eyes, especially at concentrations commonly found in weed killers.
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A long, speckled brown insect with a pointed head on a green leaf.
Pests in the Urban Landscape: Article

What are exotic and invasive pests?

July 16, 2024
By Belinda Messenger-Sikes
Exotic and invasive pests threaten California's natural environments, agricultural production, structures, landscapes and gardens. Exotic pests are organisms introduced into an area beyond their natural range and become pests in the new environment.
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A canal of water next to a fenced area with residential homes and trees.
Pests in the Urban Landscape: Article

Urban Pesticides, Fertilizers, and Water Quality

July 14, 2024
By Belinda Messenger-Sikes
Pesticides and fertilizers applied around homes, residential or commercial landscapes, school sites, and other areas can enter our creeks, rivers, and oceans, degrading water quality.
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The OMRI seal may appear on pesticides determined as organically acceptable by the Organic Materials Review Institute.
Pests in the Urban Landscape: Article

Organic, Natural, and Less Toxic: What’s the Difference?

July 11, 2024
By Lauren Fordyce, Belinda Messenger-Sikes, Karey Windbiel-Rojas
You've heard of terms such as green, organic, natural, ecofriendly, and less toxic to describe pest control products and services. But what do these terms really mean? To different people, they can mean different things, creating obvious confusion.
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