Books and Other Printed Educational Resources

Many UC IPM printed educational resources are available online or can be ordered from the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources (ANR) Publications website. All Home and Landscape Pest Notes and Agricultural Pest Management Guidelines are available online.

General IPM

Books

• IPM in Practice: Principles and Methods of Integrated Pest Management, 2nd Edition

  This manual from the University of California Statewide IPM Program is the most comprehensive, practical field guide ever developed for setting up and carrying out an IPM program in any type of crop or landscape. IPM in Practice features IPM strategies for weed, insect, pathogen, nematode, and vertebrate pests and provides specific information on how to set up sampling and monitoring programs in the field. This manual covers methods applicable to vegetable, field, and tree cops as well as landscape and urban situations. Designed to bring you the most up-to-date research and expertise, this manual draws on the knowledge of dozens of experts within the University of California, public agencies, and private practice.

• Natural Enemies Handbook: The Illustrated Guide to Biological Pest Control

  This how-to book helps you combine cultural, physical, and chemical methods with biological control; minimize pesticide impacts on natural enemies; release natural enemies and enhance their activity; and identify and use natural enemies to control pests in almost any agricultural crop, garden, and landscape. Virtually every insect, mite, and spider family important in biological control is illustrated with a taxonomically correct line drawing and color photos. The 180 high-quality color photographs and 140 line drawings feature hundreds of predators, parasites, and pathogens that attack pests. This book won an international award in June 1999 from the Agricultural Communicators in Education.

• Pests of the Garden and Small Farm: A Grower's Guide to Using Less Pesticide, 3rd edition

  This convenient handbook for home gardeners and small-scale farmers covers insect, mite, disease, nematode, and weed pests of fruit and nut trees, vegetables and herbs. Individual sections describe biology, identification, and management practices for over 120 common pests. Symptom-identification tables organized by crop refer you to relevant pages within and with more than 400 color photos and drawings, help you diagnose problems in your crop. The IPM approach focuses on prevention and suggests minimal use of harmful pesticides; recommended methods rely primarily on organically acceptable alternatives.

Publications

• Establishing Integrated Pest Management Policies and Programs (A Guide for Public Agencies)
  Free Publication

  This publication, revised in 2003 and available in PDF, provides step-by-step processes for developing a written IPM policy, establishing procedures appropriate for individual agencies, and responding to employee resistance to changes. Adoption of a written IPM policy provides public agencies with an effective way to respond to public concerns about health and environmental problems associated with pesticides or other pest control methods. A written policy also helps organize decision-making in an agency so the safest effective procedures are systematically followed and each employee's role in a pest management program is clarified. Authored by M. L. Flint, Sheila Daar, and Richard Molinar, this guide also includes a list of resources for integrated pest management information.

• Poster: Meet the Beneficials: Natural Enemies of Pests
  Free Publication
  Archived

  This poster shows many of the beneficial insects that prey on plant pests. (2 MB PDF)

Home and Landscape

Newsletters

• Green Bulletin—information for landscape and structural pest management professionals and pesticide applicators.
• Home & Garden Pest Newsletter—for all Californians, including home gardeners, UC Master Gardeners, educational institutions, and the general public.

Books

• Pests of Landscape Trees and Shrubs: An Integrated Pest Management Guide, 3rd edition

  This book is the ultimate guide to managing landscape pests and is an indispensable resource for landscape professionals, pest managers, and home gardeners. Using this book, you can diagnose and learn how to manage hundreds of insects, mites, nematodes, plant disorders and diseases, and weeds that damage trees and shrubs in California landscapes. This third edition contains over 600 high-quality, color photographs and line drawings of the causes of plant damage and their solutions. Problem-Solving Tables to help you recognize the pests and maladies of over 200 genera of trees and shrubs, with reference to specific pages for photographs and management. More than 100 University of California experts and industry professionals contributed to the books 437 information-packed pages.

Publications

• Pest Notes and Quick Tips
  Free Publication

  University of California's official guidelines for monitoring techniques, pesticides, and nonpesticide alternatives for managing pests of ornamental trees, shrubs, fruit trees, nuts, berries, grapevines, and vegetables in urban settings. Pest Notes are available in PDF format, and some are available as Quick Tips (short summaries), with many Quick Tips in Spanish.

Card Sets

• Vegetable Pest Identification Cards for Gardens and Small Farms

  This handy, pocket-sized guide helps farmers and gardeners identify and manage vegetable, fruit tree, and melon pests in smaller operations such as backyards, community or school gardens, or small, diversified farms in urban and rural areas. The cards focus on sustainable management methods that prevent pest problems while protecting people and the environment. Suggested techniques emphasize using less pesticide or are generally considered organically acceptable.

• Landscape Pest Identification Cards

  Carry these 46 pocket-sized laminated cards in the field as handy references for identifying and monitoring major diseases and pest insects and mites and their natural enemies in California landscapes. These attractive and durable, laminated cards feature 211 high-quality, full-color photographs and cover 80 common insects and mites, 40 diseases, 20 beneficial insects, and a variety of other disorders and invertebrate pests.

Agriculture

Books

• The IPM for Agricultural Crops Manuals Series

  UC IPM produces comprehensive IPM manuals for growers and pest control advisors. The books offer detailed information on numerous agricultural crops, landscape trees and shrubs, and home gardens. Some are in their second or later edition. The UC IPM manual series has received national recognition for the quality, readability, and outstanding color photographs.

  The books are indispensable for growers, consultants, and pest management instructors. Each book describes the crop's growth and development, important natural enemies as well as other pest management alternatives, and effects of cultural and production practices on pests, presenting an ecosystem approach to pest management.

  Comprehensive chapters on insects and mites, pathogens, weeds, nematodes, and vertebrates cover each significant pest, its identification, biology, and management. Monitoring methods, treatment thresholds, biological controls, and cultural practices are thoroughly explained. Numerous line drawings and charts and as many as 150 to 250 excellent color photographs illustrate each manual.

  • Integrated Pest Management for Alfalfa Hay
  • Integrated Pest Management for Almonds 2nd edition
  • Integrated Pest Management for Apples and Pears 2nd edition
  • Integrated Pest Management for Avocados
  • Integrated Pest Management for Citrus 3rd edition
  • Integrated Pest Management for Cole Crops and Lettuce 2nd edition
  • Integrated Pest Management for Cotton
  • Integrated Pest Management for Floriculture and Nurseries
  • Integrated Pest Management for Potatoes 2nd edition
  • Integrated Pest Management for Rice 3rd edition
  • Integrated Pest Management for Small Grains
  • Integrated Pest Management for Stone Fruits
  • Integrated Pest Management for Strawberries 2nd edition
  • Integrated Pest Management for Tomatoes 4th edition
  • Integrated Pest Management for Walnuts 3rd edition

Card Sets

• Vineyard Pest Identification and Monitoring Cards

  These 50 information-rich cards will help growers, vineyard managers, and their teams identify and manage most common problems. Covers 27 common insects and mites, 8 diseases, 6 beneficial insects, and a variety of other disorders, weeds, and invertebrate pests. Each pest is identified by a description and excellent close-up color photographs—44 photos in all. On the reverse of each card is a description of the various life stages and monitoring tips. Also includes descriptions of natural enemies as well as handy inch and metric measurement scales.

• Tree Fruit Pest Identification and Monitoring Cards

  Carry these pocket-size laminated cards in the field as handy references for identifying and monitoring major insect and mite pests and several important diseases in California deciduous tree fruits and nuts. Each pest is identified by a description and close-up photographs of important life stages. Cards identifying important natural enemies are also included. The information and 114 color photos on these 32 cards will help pest control advisors and growers know how and when to look for these pests, both in growing and dormant seasons. Everyone involved in pest management in tree crops will want a set of these handy cards!

Publications

• Pest Management Guidelines
  Free Publication

  The UC IPM Pest Management Guidelines are the University of California's official guidelines for pest monitoring techniques, pesticides, and nonpesticide alternatives for managing insect, mite, nematode, weed, and disease pests in agricultural crops, floriculture and ornamental nurseries, and commercial turf.

• Efficacy and Timing of Fungicides, Bactericides, and Biologicals for Deciduous Tree Fruit, Nut, Strawberry, and Vine Crops (PDF)
  Free Publication

  This 75-page University of California publication (PDF) lists properties and efficacy of registered and experimental fungicides; disease and pathogen names; and fungicide efficacy for tree fruit, nut, strawberry, and vine crops. This publication is updated biennially.

• Easy On-Site Tests for Fungi and Viruses in Nurseries and Greenhouses
  Free Publication

  To manage a disease effectively, you have to determine which specific pathogens are present. This publication describes test kits that identify some common plant viruses and root and crown decay fungi. You can use kits to test for certain viruses affecting aboveground parts of virtually any plant. Authors: John N. Kabashima, James D. MacDonald, Steve H. Dreistadt, and Diane E. Ullman.

• Herbicide Resistance: Definition and Management Strategies
  Free Publication

  An herbicide ceases to be useful tool for farmers when its target weeds develop resistance to its effects. This publication helps you understand resistance: what causes it, and how you can slow or prevent its development. Authors: Timothy S. Prather, Joseph M. DiTomaso, and Jodie S. Holt.

• A Field Key to the Most Common Lygus Species of the Central San Joaquin Valley (PDF)
  Free Publication

  The Field Key contains detailed explanations and descriptions of Lygus hesperus (western tarnished plant bug), the predominant species found in the valley; Lygus elisus (pale legume bug); and Lygus lineolaris (tarnished plant bug).

• Key Features of Common Lygus Species in the Central San Joaquin Valley (PDF)
  Free Publication

  Key Features, the companion and "quick guide" to the Field Key, shows the key features of these three Lygus species.

Pesticide Safety

Books

• The Pesticide Application Compendium Series:
  • Volume 1: The Safe and Effective Use of Pesticides (3rd edition)
  • Volume 2: Residential, Industrial, and Institutional Pest Control (2nd edition)
  • Volume 3: Wood Preservation
  • Volume 4: Forest and Right-of-Way Pest Control (2nd edition)
  • Volume 5: Aquatic Pest Control
  • Volume 6: Demonstration and Research Uses of Pesticides
  • Volume 7: Landscape Maintenance Pest Control
  • Volume 8: Lawn and Residential Landscape Pest Control
  • Volume 9: Field Fumigation
• Private Applicator Certification Exam Preparation: Pesticide Safety: A Reference Manual for Private Applicators (2nd edition)

  This manual is a required study guide for the Private Applicator Certification examination. All California farm owners, managers, and employees involved with the use of pesticides should have it. It covers pesticide labels, mixing and applying pesticides, hazards of pesticide use, and pesticide emergencies. It also includes review questions, appendices, a glossary, and an index.

• Preparación para el examen de certificación de aplicador privado: Seguridad En El Manejo De Pesticidas:Manual De Referencia Para Aplicadores Privados (segunda edición)

  Este manual de 133 páginas es la traducción al español de Pesticide Safety: A Reference Manual for Private Applicators. Este libro facilita a las personas hispanohablantes la preparación para el examen, el cual ha sido desarrollado en español por el Departamento de Reglamentación de Pesticidas de California. Los solicitantes aún deben leer y comprender las etiquetas de pesticidas en inglés. Publicación 3394 de UC ANR, 133 páginas.

Card Sets

• Understanding Pesticide Labels for Making Proper Applications
  Free Publication
  Archived

  These pocket-sized laminated cards are intended to help pesticide handlers, applicators, safety trainers, and pest control advisers (PCAs) make safe and legal pesticide applications. The cards explain when to read the label, describe what kind of information can be found in each section of a pesticide label, and point out specific instruction areas so that applicators can apply pesticides safely and avoid illegal pesticide residues. Bound with a spiral coil, this eye-catching instructional card set was designed for both English-speakers and when flipped over, for Spanish-speaking audiences as well. 31 cards. Understanding Pesticide Labels for Making Proper Applications in Spanish

En Español

Libros

• Preparación para el examen de certificación de aplicador privado: Seguridad En El Manejo De Pesticidas:Manual De Referencia Para Aplicadores Privados (segunda edición)

  Este manual de 133 páginas es la traducción al español de Pesticide Safety: A Reference Manual for Private Applicators. Este libro facilita a las personas hispanohablantes la preparación para el examen, el cual ha sido desarrollado en español por el Departamento de Reglamentación de Pesticidas de California. Los solicitantes aún deben leer y comprender las etiquetas de pesticidas en inglés. Publicación 3394 de UC ANR, 133 páginas.

Publicaciones

• Notas Breves
  Publicación Libre

  Pautas oficiales de la Universidad de California para técnicas de monitoreo, pesticidas y alternativas no químicas para el manejo de plagas en árboles ornamentales, arbustos, árboles frutales, nueces, bayas, vides y hortalizas en entornos urbanos. Notas Breves (resúmenes breves) también están disponibles en formato PDF, y varias Notas Breves están traducidas al español.

• Volumen 8: Control De Plagas Para Césped Y Jardines Residenciales: Una Guía Para Jardineros De Mantenimientoz