Pest Management & Plant Health

Most people don't think about rats or mice until they become pests in or around the home. But with experts predicting that these pests will be particularly bad this upcoming winter, you might want to spend some more time rodent-proofing your home and other buildings.

From the Weed Science Society of America (WSSA) Graduate Student Organization newsletter (Oct. 2023) * * * * * * Graduate Student of the Month Matthew (Matt) Fatino, Ph.D. Candidate with the Hanson Lab at UC Davis, is the Weed Science Society of America (WSSA) graduate student of the month.

The past few weeks have been fun with pest challenges in our garden and home. In the kitchen we battled ant infestations and pantry moths.

EVENT ANNOUNCEMENT Tuesday, November 21, 2023 8:00 AM-1:00 PM UC Kearney Agricultural Research and Extension Center 9240 South Riverbend Avenue Parlier, CA 93648 Continuing education credit: 2.5 hours of DPR and CCA credits pending. Lunch will be provided to those who pre-register.

Honey bee scientists, beekeepers and other bee enthusiasts are especially looking forward to this UC Davis seminar.

UC Davis environmental toxicologist/biochemist Sascha Nicklisch will discuss how to disarm the defenses of the varroa mite, a major pest of honey bees, at his UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology seminar on Monday, Oct. 23.

Wildfires are part of California's ecosystems, and they do not have to lead to the destruction of structures and livelihoods. Each of us can contribute to improving wildfire resilience, from individual homeowners and businesses to entire communities.

It's October and it's weeding season! That's not a phrase we regularly hear. In many years in California October can be a month where weeding is a low priority task.

We are getting to the time of year where lettuce production winds down in the Salinas Valley and ramps up in the desert around Yuma, Arizona.

At first glance, Orobanche ramosa looks like an interesting blossoming plant, one that could add a unique flair to flower arrangements. But it's a parasitic weed that attaches to roots, sucks out nutrients and is threatening California's $1.5 billion processing tomato industry.