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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A lighter-colored, spindly grass embedded in a darker green lawn.
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Do You Hate Crabgrass?

October 1, 2025
By Belinda Messenger-Sikes
Crabgrass popping up in your lawn or landscape can be aggravating, but don't despair -- you can manage this common annual weed with integrated pest management!  First, make sure that you are dealing with crabgrass and not a lookalike grass like dallisgrass or bermudagrass. The newly revised Pest Notes:…
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Colorful fallen leaves on the ground in shades of orange, brown, and yellow.
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Pest Management Tips for Fall

September 25, 2025
By Lindsey Hack
Fall is officially here! Even though the weather is still warm in many places in California, leaves are beginning to drop and things are starting to slow down in our gardens. It’s time to prepare for garden and landscape pest problems that could come with the changing season. Did you know that UC IPM…
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A light green plant with many branching stems and bright yellow, spiky flowers.
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Managing Invasive Plants: Your Questions Answered!

September 22, 2025
UC IPM recently hosted a webinar about invasive plant management in California. During the presentation, our speakers Constance Taylor and Jutta Burger from the California Invasive Plant Council (Cal-IPC) answered live questions from attendees. Below are some of those questions and answers. If you…
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A large black beetle on a spiny green succulent plant.
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 Aloe and Agave Pests 

September 11, 2025
By Eric G Middleton
Succulents like aloes and agaves are common landscape plants throughout much of California and are prized both for their beauty and their drought tolerant features. Unfortunately there are several arthropod pests that can damage or even kill these hardy plants. Below are three pests you should be aware of if…
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A bright red strawberry with a damaged, mushy section that has a tiny, white, worm-like maggot on it.
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Is That a Maggot in My Berry?

September 8, 2025
By Cherie Shook
 A little red-eyed fly is trending on social media for all the wrong reasons. Why? Because people are finding maggots in some of their berries! Sounds gross, but what is it?   This small fly, called spotted wing drosophila (SWD), love soft-skinned fruits such as cherries, blueberries,…
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