Pests in the Urban Landscape

Urban neighborhood and park.

The Pests in the Urban Landscape blog shares the latest sustainable pest management news and information from the UC IPM Urban & Community Program. 

Primary Image
An adult crane fly.
Article

The “Mosquito Eater” Myth

May 11th, 2023
By Lauren Fordyce
Lately you may have seen some large, leggy insects bumbling around on your home, bouncing off walls and ceilings. What are these? While many people call them mosquito eaters or mosquito hawks, they are actually crane flies. And unfortunately, they do not eat mosquitoes.
View Article
Primary Image
Life stages of the western blacklegged tick (Ixodes pacificus). From left to right: adult female, adult male, nymph, and larva. Photo by CDPH.
Article

Ticks and Lyme Disease

May 4th, 2023
By Lauren Fordyce
In honor of Lyme Disease Awareness Month and in response to some misinformation about ticks on social media recently, we'd like to share some tick and Lyme disease facts. Ticks can spread several diseases to humans and pets, but Lyme disease is the most common.
View Article
Primary Image
Common white grubs. The species left to right are: Japanese beetle, European chafer, and June beetle. Photo by David Cappaert, Bugwood.org
Article

What are white grubs?

May 2nd, 2023
By Lauren Fordyce
You may be noticing white grubs in your compost piles, lawns, or garden beds. These white, c-shaped critters can be 1/4 inch long or 2 inches long, depending on the species.
View Article
Primary Image
An adult lady beetle (ladybug) on a flower.
Article

Earth Day and IPM

April 20th, 2023
By Lauren Fordyce
What do Earth Day and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) have in common?
View Article