Invasive Species

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A shiny green and bronze beetle on a heavily damaged leaf.
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Wrapping Up Invasive Species Action Week

June 12, 2025
By Cherie Shook, Lindsey Hack
This week, we shared information about important invasive species, what to do if you find them, and how you can help prevent their spread. To wrap up California Invasive Species Action Week, we’d like to highlight a few key takeaways: Don’t pack or plant a pest Whether you’re traveling or gardening…
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Tall, green stalks of giant reed towering over two humans standing in front.
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Keep Invasive Plants Out!

June 11, 2025
By Lindsey Hack
The golden flowers of French broom covering hillsides and the tall, striking stalks of pampasgrass stand out on trails and roadsides. These plants may be beautiful, but they are invasive and harm California’s natural landscapes.  Invasive plants outcompete and crowd out native plants, damaging…
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A staff person from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife inspects a boat.
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Clean, Drain, Dry: Protect Our Waters

June 10, 2025
By Cherie Shook
You may not see them, but small hitchhikers can cling to your boats, trailers, fishing gear, kayaks, and paddleboards. These hitchhikers are aquatic invasive species like plants, fish, and mussels. Once introduced to a body of water, they can displace native species, clog motors, damage water delivery…
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Stacks of firewood for sale below a canopy with a sign that says "firewood."
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Destructive Pests Hide in Firewood

June 9, 2025
By Lindsey Hack
While bringing firewood from home for your weekend camping trip may seem harmless, many invasive pests can hide in firewood and cause serious harm to California’s forests and urban landscapes. You can help limit the spread of these unwanted hitchhikers by collecting or buying firewood close to where you plan…
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Red, black, and white spotted lanternfly nymphs on a plant.
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Be on the Lookout

June 8, 2025
By Cherie Shook
Be on the lookout for invasive species threatening California! While state and federal agencies actively monitor for new invasive pests, the public serves a critical role in early detection and often are the ones who find new invasive species first.  During California Invasive Species Action Week …
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The letters "CISAW" animated as invasive species organisms.
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Protect California from Invasive Species

June 5, 2025
Invasive species. What does that mean? Invasive species are non-native pests that harm California’s natural areas, public health, and economy. To raise awareness about these pests, UC IPM joins other state agencies to promote the annual California Invasive Species Action Week (CISAW), which goes from June 7…
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Cross section of a tree trunk that has trellis-like tunnels throughout. The tunnels are dark stained and go deep into the wood.
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Mediterranean Oak Borer: Questions & Answers

May 28, 2025
The Mediterranean Oak Borer (MOB) is an invasive ambrosia beetle that infests several species of white oaks in California: valley oak, blue oak, and Oregon oak. The beetle is spreading rapidly in Northern California counties and there is considerable potential for the beetle's range to expand as they…
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An adult emerald ash borer beetle on a leaf damaged by its feeding.
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Emerald Ash Borer Awareness Week 2025

May 15, 2025
By Lindsey Hack
Tiny but destructive, the emerald ash borer (EAB) is an invasive beetle that has killed millions of ash trees across North America. In some cases, infested regions have lost nearly 100% of their ash trees to this pest. Though EAB has not yet been found in California, it was detected on the West Coast for the…
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Brown shield-shaped stink bug with brown mottling on the body on a green leaf.
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2025 Invasive Species Mini-Series

Brought to you by UC IPMs' Urban and Community TeamInvasive species are reshaping California’s natural and urban landscapes. This mini-series explores the many fronts of invasion, from harmful garden pests and aquatic hitchhikers to destructive tree pests, invasive weeds, and the policies that guide…
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