The University of Arizona Cooperative Extension provides trusted information for desert pests, agriculture, gardening, turf, wildlife, and pest management in Arizona.
Official Website
https://extension.arizona.edu/
About the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension
The University of Arizona Cooperative Extension serves all 15 Arizona counties through a network of county offices, research centers, and university-based specialists. The organization provides research-based education and outreach in agriculture, natural resources, horticulture, family and consumer sciences, youth development, and community sustainability.
Arizona is one of the most geographically diverse states in the nation, encompassing the Sonoran Desert, high-elevation forests, mountain ranges, grasslands, and agricultural valleys. As a result, the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension develops programs specifically designed to address the unique challenges faced by farmers, ranchers, homeowners, businesses, tribal communities, and urban residents throughout the state.
Core Services Offered by UArizona Extension
The University of Arizona Cooperative Extension provides educational resources and technical assistance across a wide variety of disciplines that support Arizona communities and industries.
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Agriculture remains one of Arizona’s most important industries, and Extension specialists work closely with commercial growers throughout the state.
Major areas of support include:
- Crop production management
- Irrigation efficiency programs
- Soil health improvement
- Integrated pest management (IPM)
- Nutrient management
- Marketing and business development
Arizona is a leading producer of winter vegetables, cotton, citrus, melons, and specialty crops. Extension programs support growers throughout major agricultural regions including Yuma, Maricopa, Pinal, and Pima counties.
Ranching and Livestock Management
Arizona’s extensive rangelands support a large cattle industry. Extension specialists provide educational programs focused on:
- Grazing management
- Drought preparedness
- Water resource development
- Range health monitoring
- Livestock nutrition
- Sustainable ranching practices
Urban Horticulture and Landscaping
As Arizona’s population continues to grow, urban horticulture has become one of the Extension Service’s largest program areas.
Residents receive guidance on:
- Desert-adapted landscaping
- Plant selection
- Tree care
- Water-efficient irrigation
- Garden pest management
- Sustainable landscape practices
Master Gardener Program
The Arizona Master Gardener Program is one of the most active volunteer education programs in the state. Trained volunteers assist homeowners and gardeners by providing science-based information on gardening and landscape management.
Common topics include:
- Vegetable gardening
- Desert landscaping
- Plant disease identification
- Pest management
- Water conservation
- Native plants
Water Conservation Education
Because Arizona faces ongoing water scarcity challenges, water conservation is integrated into many Extension programs.
Educational efforts focus on:
- Efficient irrigation systems
- Water-smart landscapes
- Drought planning
- Agricultural water management
- Rainwater harvesting
- Conservation technologies
Pest Pressures and Challenges in Arizona
Arizona’s warm climate allows many pest species to remain active throughout the year. The state’s diverse habitats support a wide variety of agricultural, structural, urban, and medical pests.
Arizona Bark Scorpions
The Arizona Bark Scorpion (Centruroides sculpturatus) is the only medically significant scorpion species in the United States and represents one of Arizona’s most recognized pest concerns.
Bark scorpions are particularly common in:
- Phoenix metropolitan areas
- Tucson communities
- Suburban desert developments
- Riparian habitats
- Rocky desert environments
Extension specialists provide guidance on scorpion identification, habitat modification, exclusion methods, and management strategies for homes and businesses.
Africanized Honey Bees
Africanized Honey Bees have been established throughout Arizona since the early 1990s and now dominate many feral bee populations at lower elevations.
Extension educational programs focus on:
- Swarm identification
- Public safety awareness
- Bee behavior education
- Safe colony removal
- Beekeeper management practices
Specialists also work with beekeepers to help maintain managed European honey bee colonies.
Whiteflies
The whitefly complex, including the Silverleaf Whitefly (Bemisia argentifolii), remains one of Arizona’s most economically important agricultural pest groups.
Whiteflies affect:
- Vegetable crops
- Melons
- Cotton
- Ornamental plants
- Landscape vegetation
Extension entomologists regularly publish management recommendations to help growers reduce economic losses.
Cotton Pests
Arizona played a major role in one of the most successful agricultural pest eradication programs in history.
The Pink Bollworm was once a devastating pest of Arizona cotton production. Through a large-scale sterile insect release program, the pest was successfully eradicated from the United States.
Today, major cotton pests include:
- Lygus bugs
- Thrips
- Whiteflies
- Various caterpillar species
Citrus Pests
Arizona’s citrus industry faces ongoing threats from invasive insects and plant diseases.
One of the most significant concerns is the Asian Citrus Psyllid, which can spread citrus greening disease, one of the most destructive citrus diseases worldwide.
Extension specialists assist with:
- Pest monitoring
- Detection programs
- Grower education
- Response planning
- Disease prevention strategies
Urban Pest Challenges
Urban residents commonly encounter a variety of structural and nuisance pests.
Extension resources frequently address:
- Roof Rats
- Black Widow Spiders
- Kissing Bugs
- Cockroaches
- Ants
- Termites
Kissing bugs (Triatoma species) receive particular attention because they are associated with Chagas disease transmission in parts of the Southwest.
Termites
Termites remain one of the most destructive structural pests in Arizona.
Common species include:
- Desert Subterranean Termites
- Western Drywood Termites
- Arid-land termite species
Extension publications provide homeowners with information on termite identification, prevention, inspections, and treatment options.
Arizona Pest Management Programs
The University of Arizona maintains one of the nation’s most respected pest management education systems.
Arizona Pest Management Center
The Arizona Pest Management Center coordinates statewide research and education efforts focused on integrated pest management.
Major program areas include:
- Agricultural pest management
- Urban pest management
- School IPM programs
- Invasive species monitoring
- Pesticide education
- Applied pest research
Invasive Species Monitoring
The Extension Service works closely with state and federal agencies to identify and respond to invasive species threats.
Activities include:
- Early detection programs
- Pest surveys
- Public reporting systems
- Grower outreach
- Rapid response planning
Educational Publications and Resources
The University of Arizona Cooperative Extension publishes an extensive collection of educational materials covering agriculture, pest management, landscaping, water conservation, and community development.
Popular Resources Include:
- Vegetable pest management guides
- Citrus pest management publications
- Cotton production resources
- Urban pest control guides
- Desert landscaping publications
- Water conservation manuals
Many publications are available online and are updated regularly to reflect current research findings and pest management recommendations.
Contact the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension
Whether you need help identifying a pest, managing a desert landscape, improving crop production, or conserving water, the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension provides access to research-based information and local expertise throughout the state.
Residents can contact their county Extension office or visit the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension website to access publications, educational programs, diagnostic services, and expert guidance tailored to Arizona’s unique environment.
Pest Control and IPM Help in Arizona
Arizona residents can use Extension resources for scorpions, termites, ants, cockroaches, citrus pests, landscape insects, and desert-adapted pest problems.