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Popular IPM Publications Available Online - September 2005

September 1, 2005

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Numerous publications about integrated pest management (IPM) are now available as free downloadable PDF files from the Pennsylvania IPM Program's Web site.

Educators can download "Join Our Pest Patrol - A Backyard Activity Book for Kids" for their students in third and fourth grades. The workbook is designed to serve two audiences; elementary school students who must learn about IPM to meet the new Academic Standards in environment and ecology, section 4.5.4, "Integrated Pest Management," and kids in 4-H programs.

Also available is the accompanying "Join Our Pest Patrol Teacher's Guide" that includes facts, investigations, activities and resources to support children's curiosity and extended learning. Concepts include distinguishing weed and insect pests from beneficial plants and insects, understanding why humans want to manage pests, recognizing common pests in our homes, gardens, and neighborhoods, choosing the least toxic ways to manage pests and safeguarding against pesticide risks. The guide will help teachers better explain IPM to kids.

In addition, a Spanish version of the activity book - "Unete a Nuestra Patrulla Contra las Plaga" - is also available. Both the Spanish and English versions can be found at http://paipm.cas.psu.edu/776.html.

For school administrators and personnel who need help in developing their IPM plans, the most recent edition of the "Pennsylvania School IPM Manual" is now available online. This edition of the manual contains new sections on mosquito and tick IPM. More references have been added, and some content has been replaced with material that conforms to the new IPM legislation. The manual also includes chapters on suggestions for setting up an IPM program in schools and developing an IPM policy and a sample policy from the Pennsylvania School Boards Association.

Additionally, the manual contains a listing of commonly encountered pests in and around schools as well as information on the biology, identification and management of various types of pests such as ants, cockroaches, flies, fleas, head lice, silverfish, termites, and yellowjackets. To download the manual, see Web site http://paipm.cas.psu.edu/166.htm.

For greenhouse growers, the manual "Greenhouse IPM with an Emphasis on Biocontrol" is also available from the PA IPM Web site. The manual was developed in response to the need for practical information on greenhouse IPM and biological control also known as biocontrol. It begins with an introduction to IPM and its principles, information on starting an IPM/biocontrol program and using compatible pesticides, and addresses many of the most common greenhouse pests and their biocontrols. The publication is available for download at Web site http://paipm.cas.psu.edu/63.htm.

For gardeners trying to identify what six-legged creature is damaging their tomato plants, PA IPM's publication "Identifying Vegetable Insect Pests in Pennsylvania" can help them find the answer. Targeted to the home gardener, the guide includes pictures and descriptions of vegetable pests commonly found in the garden and flower beds. It is available at http://resources.cas.psu.edu/ipm/vegpests.pdf.

Likewise, PA IPM's "Identifying Common Household Insects in Pennsylvania" can help homeowners identify common insects found in the home. Each insect identified in the guide has a color picture and a short description. To download the publication, see Web site http://resources.cas.psu.edu/ipm/commoninsects.pdf.

Mushroom growers can also find the help they need managing pests in "Pennsylvania Mushroom Integrated Pest Management Handbook". The handbook is a joint effort of Pennsylvania State University, The American Mushroom Institute and PA IPM. The handbook is intended to be used by growers as well as researchers, both as an educational tool and as a reference manual. Recommendations are to be used as a guide for developing an effective IPM program.

The publication is divided into two parts, the first covering the theory of IPM and the second dealing with IPM in mushroom growing. The first section explains the concepts of pest management, types of control and the importance of understanding pest life cycles and biology. The other half of the manual describes how the unique features of the crop can be used effectively in IPM. It is available as a downloadable PDF at http://paipm.cas.psu.edu/729.htm.

Of course, all of these publications are available as hard copies by contacting Publications Distribution Center, The Pennsylvania State University, College of Agricultural Sciences, 112 Agricultural Administration Building
University Park, PA 16802-2602. You can also contact them toll free at 1-877-345-0691.

In addition to these publications, pest management advice can be found in the Pest Problem Solver web site http://paipm.cas.psu.edu/17.htm.

The Pennsylvania IPM program is a collaboration between the Pennsylvania State University and the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture aimed at promoting integrated pest management in both agricultural and nonagricultural situations. For more information, contact the program at (814) 865-2839, or visit Web site http://paipm.cas.psu.edu/. To view our archived news releases, see Web site http://paipm.cas.psu.edu/10.htm.