Activity - IPM Detective: Pest Management Assessment in & Around Buildings

E&E IPM Standard: 4C, 7B & C, 10 B, 12 A
Skills: Observing, ordering, communicating, recording, reasoning

Introduction:
IPM in and around schools is another special case of application of IPM principles. Here, there are usually buildings, lawns, playing fields, and landscaping areas to be considered. Furthermore, within the school building there are different habitats and/or places where pests such as insects or rodents are even less welcome, such as the cafeteria. Also, because school children spend a great deal of time indoors and may be more sensitive to toxins, the use of conventional pesticides may be precluded or at least very limited in schools. Consequently, strategies for pest management within a school require constant monitoring of potential pest harborages - many of which you might never have thought of - and checking on facility maintenance. There are many checklists that can be used to assess the condition of buildings from the point of view of potential for pest invasion or establishment. In this exercise, we will use some of these to scrutinize some buildings and a kitchen here on campus.

Learning Objectives:
1. Understand how pests enter and get established in an around buildings
2. Become more aware of the preventative aspects of IPM
3. Become aware of each individual's role in preventing pests.
4. Learn how to monitor for pests in schools

Materials Needed:

  • Your school and the cooperation of the kitchen and maintenance personnel
  • Checklists for buildings and grounds pest management
  • Pest sighting log for student helpers

Timeline:
1 hour

Procedure:
1. Use the checklists provided and explore the school indoors and out
2. Have students make note of any sign of pest activity
3. Have students discuss their attitudes about common structural pests
4. Using the checklist of IPM steps and tactics, have students pick-a-pest and design an IPM approach to their favorite (NOT!) pest
5. Institute the pest-sighting log in your classroom for students to monitor for pest occurrences

Analysis & Discussion:
What was the most difficult part about designing an IPM solution to your pest problem?
Do you have a different view now of things YOU can do to help prevent pests?

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