Monthly Tip

You see insects in your garden and your first reaction may be to reach for neem oil or other insecticides to kill off the little invaders. But wait! Chemical intervention may not work, might not be necessary, and may even kill off beneficial creatures that your garden needs. Instead, determine first whether the pest really is a pest. This UC plant diagnostic tool can help figure that out and provide mitigation options. Identification is a key element of Integrated Pest Management (or IPM), a process Master Gardeners suggest you use to solve pest problems while minimizing risk to people and the environment.

 

More information: What is IPM?