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Threecornered alfalfa hopper degree day model

The threecornered alfalfa hopper (TCAH) is a vector of Grapevine red blotch virus that causes Grapevine red blotch disease in vineyards. A degree day model was developed to predict the ideal time frame for ground cover management to help reduce TCAH populations in vineyards.
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Two rat traps secured to a tree limb using a piece of wood and tape
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Your Rat Management Questions Answered!

January 14th, 2025
By Lauren Fordyce
UC IPM recently hosted a webinar on rat management presented by Dr. Niamh Quinn. During this webinar attendees were able to ask the expert their burning questions about rats and their management. Below are responses to common questions from the webinar.
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Brown female turkeys on the grass and sidewalk outside of a home.
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Turkey Troubles

November 26th, 2024
By Lauren Fordyce
With Thanksgiving approaching, turkeys are on many of our minds. But for those that live in a neighborhood with frequent turkey visitors, you might think of them more often. Like most creatures, turkeys are not always considered a pest, and some people may even enjoy seeing them.
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A grey animal with pale pink claws sticking out of a dirt hole in the ground
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Got Moles?

November 20th, 2024
A line of pushed up grass. A volcano sized mound. Yep, it's probably a mole! While you may never actually see the mole itself, the signs of their presence are pretty clear. Moles are small burrowing mammals (not rodents) that live almost entirely underground in extensive tunnel networks.
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A wire cage trap next to a hole in in the ground.
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Managing California Ground Squirrels in Urban Environments

November 20th, 2024
By Niamh M Quinn, Roger A Baldwin, Carolyn Whitesell
With the passing of law AB 1322 in 2023 and the recent passing of AB 2552 in September 2024, the options for managing California ground squirrels using lethal methods in urban areas will be more limited.
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A grey brown rat on the ground with its hands by its mouth feeding on something.
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Updated Rat Management Resources

June 18th, 2024
By Lauren Fordyce
Rats can contaminate our food, damage structures, and spread diseases. To help residents and urban pest professionals safely and effectively manage rats, UC IPM has updated the Pest Notes: Rats publication.
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A brown rodent sticking its upper body out of a hole in the ground.
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FAQ: Moles, Voles & Gophers

May 28th, 2024
By Lauren Fordyce, Roger A Baldwin
In this blog article we answer some frequently asked questions about moles, voles, and gophers and their management. How can I tell if I have moles, voles, gophers, or something else? Moles: look for circular or volcano-shaped mounds with the plug in the middle, or a plug may not be apparent.
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A gopher poking it's head out of a mound of dirt in a lawn.
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Managing Pocket Gophers

March 26th, 2024
By Niamh M Quinn, Roger A Baldwin, Carolyn Whitesell
Pocket gophers can cause significant damage to valuable turf, girdle trees, and chew irrigation lines. Their mounds can create tripping hazards and lead to erosion concerns when found on slopes.
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A close up of a brown mouse in a kitchen sink, with dishes in the background.
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Prevent rodents from overwintering in your home!

October 26th, 2023
By Lauren Fordyce
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.
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A gray and white cat sitting outside of a house.
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Feral Cats and Their Impact in Communities

July 12th, 2023
By Lauren Fordyce
Many of us at UC IPM are cat lovers and owners. Cats are popular household pets that bring joy and companionship to many families. Feral cats, on the other hand, can cause problems in our communities and around our homes and gardens. Feral cats are unsocialized, unowned cats that live outdoors.
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