Continuing Education and
Communication Services
3614 Administrative Services Building
Ames, Iowa 50011-3614
(515) 294-9915
8/17/01
Contacts:
Mark Shour, Department of Entomology (515) 294-1101, mshour@iastate.edu
Julie Todd, Continuing Education and Communication Services, (515) 294-2405,
jtodd@iastate.edu
Integrated Pest Management Program for Schools
AMES, Iowa -- During the 2001-2002 school year, Iowa State University Extension will be working with four Iowa school districts in a program called "School IPM (integrated pest management) Pilot Study." The primary focus of this program is to reduce unnecessary exposure of children and adults in schools to pesticides and disinfectants, while ensuring control of pests that threaten health, safety and aesthetics of schools.
Davenport Community Schools, Lewis Central Schools, Sioux Central Community Schools, and Woodward-Granger Community Schools are involved in this pilot program.
The program began this summer with a one-day workshop for school personnel, which included district superintendents, principals, school nurses, maintenance supervisors, head custodians, bakery managers and transportation supervisors. The participants were introduced to the benefits and restrictions of IPM techniques in schools. Other topics included insect and spider pests, vertebrate pests, pesticide use in schools, pesticide legislation and human chemical sensitivity.
Among the materials provided to the participants were unit lesson plans for elementary, middle and high school levels on pests in schools and pest management techniques. Texas A&M school IPM video sets also were provided. Each of the four participating districts will receive on-site training sessions and problem solving assistance during the 2001-2002 school year.
Costs for the educational materials and training are being covered by grant from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (Region 7) in cooperation with the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship. Additional funding sources are being sought to expand the program to include more school districts next year.
"By taking action to avoid pest problems and by using least-risk control options if a pest problem occurs, IPM can save time and money while achieving excellent pest control," says Mark Shour, ISU extension entomologist and program coordinator. "In addition, parents, school staff, students and others in the community can be informed of pest management activities in schools."
For information about this program, visit the School IPM Web site at http://school.ipm.iastate.edu or contact Shour (phone 515-294-1101 and e-mail mshour@iastate.edu).
-30-
ml: isufarm
Extension programs are available to all without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, or disability.