In California, nearly 95% of the population lives in urban or suburban areas. It is inevitable that they will encounter pests, especially those of public health significance such as cockroaches, rats, bed bugs, and mosquitoes, some of which may also be considered invasive. It is also likely that many will choose to manage these pests themselves using pesticides or hire a company to manage them.
The Urban & Community team with the University of California Statewide IPM Program (UC IPM) works to educate urban audiences as well as the professionals they may hire, on integrated pest management (IPM). In 2024, the program focused outreach and educational efforts on invasive species, public health pests, and pesticides to safeguard the health and wellbeing of urban Californians and protect our ecosystems.
In 2024 the UC IPM program provided
• Training for UC Master Gardener volunteers on IPM, public health pests, invasive species, and pesticides
• Training for retail nursery and garden center employees on invasive species, pesticides, and IPM
• Monthly webinars for the public covering topics ranging from biological control to invasive species. These webinars were recorded and are available on the UC IPM YouTube channel.
• Webinars and other training activities for landscapers, school grounds crews, public housing and structural pest management professionals on public health pests and invasive species
• Invasive pest online courses in collaboration with UC Statewide Master Gardener program
• Six issues of newsletters for the public and for pest management professionals covering timely pest management topics including invasive pest spotlight articles.
- Human and Household