Pest Management & Plant Health

Primary Image
Palmer amaranth
UC Weed Science (weed control, management, ecology, and minutia): Article

New Avocado Herbicide

June 3, 2024
By Ben A Faber
The California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) has approved the herbicide Rely 280 (glufosinate-ammonium) for use in avocado groves in California. Rely 280 is a post-emergence broad-spectrum herbicide for use against broadleaf and grassy weeds.
View Article
Primary Image
California Invasive Species Action Week is June 1-9, 2024.
Pests in the Urban Landscape: Article

California Invasive Species Action Week 2024

June 3, 2024
By Lauren Fordyce
Help increase public awareness of invasive species and encourage participation in the ongoing fight against invasive species by celebrating California Invasive Species Action Week (CISAW) June 1- 9, 2024.
View Article
Primary Image
UC Davis distinguished professor James R. Carey has written numerous research articles on the Mediterranean fruit fly.
Bug Squad: Article

Medfly Invasion Crisis in California: What Should Be Done?

May 31, 2024
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
During the initial throes of the Mediterranean fruit fly invasion in California, protesters disagreeing with the California Department of Food and Agriculture's eradication procedures and policies used to sing the catchy tune, "There Ain't No Bugs on Me," the work of Jerry Garcia and David Grisman.
View Article
Primary Image
Picture2
UC Rice Blog: Article

Tadpole Shrimp Issues in 2024

May 31, 2024
By Luis Espino
I received several calls and comments about issues with tadpole shrimp this spring. While this pest is well known to growers and PCAs, it can still be difficult to manage during planting time. Mistiming of insecticide application can result in shrimp damage.
View Article
Primary Image
Mediterraneanfruitfly
Bug Squad: Article

Why California's Fruit Fly Invasion Is in a Crisis Mode

May 29, 2024
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
A noted authority on California's tropical fruit fly invasion says the state is in "crisis mode." "It's really serious," says UC Davis distinguished professor James R. Carey, a noted authority on the invasion of tropical fruit flies.
View Article
Primary Image
A brown rodent sticking its upper body out of a hole in the ground.
Pests in the Urban Landscape: Article

FAQ: Moles, Voles & Gophers

May 28, 2024
By Lauren Fordyce, Roger A Baldwin
In this blog article we answer some frequently asked questions about moles, voles, and gophers and their management. How can I tell if I have moles, voles, gophers, or something else? Moles: look for circular or volcano-shaped mounds with the plug in the middle, or a plug may not be apparent.
View Article
Primary Image
Weed Science Society of America (WSSA) logo
UC Weed Science (weed control, management, ecology, and minutia): Article

New article :: Exploring sterile pollen technique as a novel tool for management of Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri)

May 26, 2024
By Gale Perez
Newly published research provides a novel and sustainable weed-management strategy WESTMINSTER, Colorado 22 May2024 Recently published research in the journal Weed Science shows that a sterilization technique commonly used to control insect pests can be modified to control weeds that require polli...
View Article
Primary Image
A small, white grub being held in a gloved hand.
The Backyard Gardener: Article

Understanding Chafer Beetles From Root to Ruin

May 22, 2024
I was dealing with a gopher problem in a lawn awhile back and I came across another turfgrass pest that you may or may not be familiar with; a chafer beetle. These white grubs are the immature larval form of a chafer beetle. Here in California we deal mainly with the masked chafer (Cyclocephala spp.
View Article
Primary Image
Marilyn Sexton of Fairfield, who plants tomatoes every year, asks a question at the UC Master Gardeners table at the Dixon May Fair. Master Gardeners (from left) are Tom Hutson, Julie Smith, and Betty Buxton. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Bug Squad: Article

Enthusiastic Team of UC Master Gardeners at Dixon May Fair

May 21, 2024
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
It wouldn't be a fair without the UC Master Gardeners. If you visited the horticulture building during the Dixon May Fair (the four-day fair traditionally ends on Mother's Day), you probably saw a team of UC Master Gardeners answering questions from fairgoers and handing out literature.
View Article
Primary Image
A silver, stainless steel pail with a handle and lid sitting on a kitchen counter.
Pests in the Urban Landscape: Article

Maggots in your food waste bin?

May 21, 2024
By Lauren Fordyce
Indoor food waste bins (also known as kitchen bins or compost bins) have become a popular addition to Californian homes. They are a great way to collect food scraps and divert food waste from landfills, but they can sometimes attract pest insects like maggots, ants, and fruit flies.
View Article