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What to do about bugs, weeds, and other pests
Here are sources of information on pest management methods and on how to prevent pests in the first place, which is always the best strategy. The non-DPR sites are to help you make informed decisions. We have not evaluated all the advice on the non-DPR sites, and any recommendations are those of the external site. One thing to remember is to make sure you know what pest you are dealing with and pick the management strategy best suited to your situation. If it involves using a pesticide, read the label before you buy the product and again before you use it - then follow the instructions to the letter.
- Pest Information Series
- University of California (UC) Integrated Pest Management Program, in-depth information on how to identify and manage insects, plant diseases, weeds and other pests in home and garden, including pest monitoring techniques, pesticides, and nonpesticide alternatives. Or, you can browse UC’s catalog of publications (many of them free downloads) on lawns and landscapes, and growing fruits and vegetables.
- The UC Guide to Healthy Lawns, all you need to know to grow a lawn with little or no pesticide.
- The Less-Toxic Home Garden, Central Contra Costa Sanitary District fact sheets on controlling pests with little or no use of pesticides.
- Less-Toxic Pest Control, fact sheets from the Sacramento Storm Water Management Program.
- UC Cooperative Extension agents in your county specialize in helping people with questions about gardening, agriculture, and pest control.
- Master Gardeners Online, the county offices of the Master Gardener program; phone for free home garden advice.
- U.S. EPA Citizens Guide to Pest Control and Pesticide Safety (PDF, 2.4 Mb).
- Hiring a Pest Control Company - UC IPM Online handout)
- National Pesticide Information Center (funded by U.S. EPA) links to many sites offering information on controlling home and garden pests.
For content questions contact:
Nita Davidson
Phone: (916) 324-4272
1001 I Street, P.O. Box 4015
Sacramento, CA 95812
E-mail: ndavidson@cdpr.ca.gov