UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Now kids can join the "Tree Hole Mosquito Patrol" while "Wising up to Worms" with the Pennsylvania IPM Program's new publication, "Join Our Pest Patrol."

"Join Our Pest Patrol" is a fun, educational resource for Pennsylvania teachers of students in grades 3 and 4. The workbook addresses newly adopted state academic standards in environment and ecology focusing on integrated pest management.

Integrated pest management, or IPM, aims to manage pests -- such as insects, diseases, weeds and animals -- by combining physical, biological and chemical tactics that are safe and environmentally compatible.

Through fun and educational activities such as crossword puzzles, fill-in-the-blanks, mazes and picture drawing, students using the workbook can determine whether an insect is a "pest or guest," find out about weeds such as dandelions and purple loosestrife, and learn pesticide safety.

Also available is the accompanying teacher 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 students.

The publications can be obtained by contacting the Pennsylvania IPM Program at 814-865-2839. They also can be downloaded as printable PDF files from the Web at http://paipm.cas.psu.edu/resources.html#ourresources.

Additional resources are available on the program's Web site at http://paipm.cas.psu.edu. The "Schools" link leads to information about the school IPM effort in Pennsylvania and to educational materials from across the country. At this Web page, visitors also can download another new publication, "IPM for Pennsylvania Schools, A How-To Manual." In addition, the site offers an interactive database to assist teachers with IPM background information, lesson plans and support materials from throughout the United States.

The Pennsylvania IPM Program is a collaboration between Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences and the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture aimed at promoting IPM in both agricultural and nonagricultural situations. For more information, call 814-865-2839, or visit the program's Web site http://paipm.cas.psu.edu.

###

Contact:

Kristie Auman-Bauer kma147@psu.edu 814-865-2839

Chuck Gill cdg5@psu.edu 814-863-2713 814-865-1068 fax