Pests in the Urban Landscape

Urban neighborhood and park.

The Pests in the Urban Landscape blog shares the latest resources and information from the UC IPM Urban & Community team to help you sustainably manage pests in the home, garden, and landscape. 

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Figure 1: Western drywood termite (<i>Incisitermes minor</i>) immatures. (Credit: S. Taravati)
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Detecting Drywood Termites in Structures with Microwave Technology

March 24, 2020
By Siavash Taravati
Western drywood termites (Incisitermes minor, Figure 1) are an important pest of structural wood in California, causing millions of dollars in damage annually. These termites are very cryptic, hidden in their galleries within wood members (pieces of wood), and only emerge during swarming.
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Ants and other pests aren't deterred by human health concerns. (Credit: Jack Kelly Clark)
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Pests and COVID-19

March 19, 2020
By Karey Windbiel-Rojas
Like you, we at the UC Statewide IPM Program are responding to the COVID-19 situation in ways that help protect ourselves, our families, and our communities.
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Close up of top and bottom of rose leaves infected with rose rust.
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Are Your Roses Diseased?

March 17, 2020
Roses in the garden can be infected with a variety of bacteria, fungi, and viruses, leading to diseases like powdery mildew and rust. Roses may also be damaged by nutrient deficiencies and other environmental problems.
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Rosettes and flowers of broadleaf plantain, Plantago major.<br>(Credit: K Windbiel-Rojas)
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Plantain weeds Pest Notes updated

February 26, 2020
Plantains are common weeds in lawns, athletic fields, ornamental plantings, roadsides, and pastures. Two species, broadleaf and buckhorn plantains (Plantago major and P. lanceolate) are commonly found throughout California year-round.
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