Pest Management & Plant Health

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Mosquito magnified to show insect biting someone.
The Stanislaus Sprout: Article

Pesky and Sometimes Deadly Mosquitoes

September 14, 2023
By Anne E Schellman
One early morning this past weekend while outside enjoying a cup of coffee, I noticed a cloud of mosquitoes buzzing around my legs. I jumped up and ran off. But too late! Not long after, I discovered at least 10 mosquito bites on my legs. I was annoyed but also a little concerned.
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Rancher Carol Kramer managing barb goatgrass with prescribed fire. Jul 13, 2023.
Ranching in the Sierra Foothills: Article

Lighting (Rx) Fires in July

September 14, 2023
By Daniel K Macon
Barb goatgrass (Aegilops triuncialis L.) is a winter annual grass native to the Mediterranean region and western Asia. According to a UCANR publication, it was introduced to Sacramento and El Dorado Counties via the importation of cattle from Mexico.
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Aedes aegypti, the yellow fever mosquito. (Photo courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Bug Squad: Article

Household Vampires Want Your Blood

September 13, 2023
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
What do you think of when someone mentions "household vampires?" Fleas? Ticks? Bed bugs? Mosquitoes? Yes! The Bohart Museum of Entomology will host an open house, themed "Household Vampires," from 1 to 4 p.m., Saturday, Sept.
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Ryan Hill: Weed Science and Agronomy Advisor
UC Weed Science (weed control, management, ecology, and minutia): Article

New Advisor for Weed Science and Agronomy: Ryan Hill

September 11, 2023
By Ryan Hill
My name is Ryan Hill, and I am the new UC Cooperative Extension Weed Science and Agronomy Advisor in Tehama County, also serving Shasta and Glenn counties. I received a B.S. in Biology from George Fox University in 2014 and an M.S.
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A landscape photo of an oak tree with dying, leafless branches in a meadow of dry brown grass.
Pests in the Urban Landscape: Article

Sudden oak death: what is it?

September 11, 2023
By Lauren Fordyce
Sudden oak death (SOD) is a disease syndrome that has killed millions of native oak trees (Figure 1) along the west coast of the United States, from Big Sur in California up to Southern Oregon.
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Doctoral student Tong Zhen is studying the effectiveness and soil impacts of this electrical weed control device, made by the Brazilian company Zasso, He’s working with Brad Hanson, professor of UC Cooperative Extension, both in the UC Davis Department of Plant Sciences. (Trina Kleist/UC Davis)
UC Weed Science (weed control, management, ecology, and minutia): Article

Zap those pesky invaders: technology sparks alternative to herbicides

September 10, 2023
By Gale Perez
A contraption with a long, low, green metal arm swept noisily along the edge of a row of almond trees in an experimental orchard just west of UC Davis. Little flashes of light sparked between the bottom of the arm and the green weeds below, and puffs of gray smoke wafted up from the stricken pests.
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Douglas Walsh, professor and Extension specialist in the Department of Entomology, Washington State University, working in an alfalfa field. (WSU Photo)
Entomology & Nematology News: Article

UC Davis Doctoral Alumnus Douglas Walsh Is Newly Elected ESA Fellow

September 8, 2023
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
UC Davis doctoral alumnus Douglas Walsh, professor and Extension specialist in the Department of Entomology, Washington State University (WSU), is one of six newly elected Fellows of the Entomological Society of America.
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Close up of a green sycamore tree leaf with irregular brown spots.
Pests in the Urban Landscape: Article

Defoliated Sycamore Trees?

September 7, 2023
By Belinda Messenger-Sikes
Have you been seeing a lot of defoliated sycamore trees recently? Sparse foliage and early leaf drop on sycamore trees might be due to anthracnose. The cool, wet spring in many parts of California provided the perfect conditions for this disease.
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Fuzzy-like white spots all over the green pad of a prickly pear cactus.
Pests in the Urban Landscape: Article

White After Labor Day?

September 5, 2023
By Lauren Fordyce
It may be after Labor Day, but some of your plants may still be wearing white, breaking that long-standing fashion rule! While many of us don't adhere to this old rule for our wardrobes these days, you may care about white stuff on your plants this time of year.
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