UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Having trouble deciding how to manage garden and landscape pests? Penn State Cooperative Extension is helping consumers understand their pest management options by providing free information in many convenient locations.

Free fact sheets on integrated pest management, or IPM, and nutrient management long have been distributed through county extension offices. Now, these publications are being offered at county fairs, garden centers and chain retailers.

IPM aims to control pests such as insects, diseases, weeds and animals by combining physical, biological and chemical tactics that are safe, profitable and environmentally compatible. In the case of home plantings, proper plant variety selection and good site preparation can help avoid future pest problems.

"Providing IPM educational materials to consumers where and when they buy plants or other garden materials will result in more informed consumer pest management decisions and decreased pesticide misuse," says Steve Bogash, Penn State Cooperative Extension horticulture agent in Franklin County.

The fact sheets are available at independent retailers as well as large retailers such as the Lowes and Wal-Mart in Chambersburg. The fact sheets are primarily distributed in Franklin County. The Penn State Cooperative Extension has worked with the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay to have the fact sheets distributed in that region as well. The fact sheets are presented in mailbox displays with a sign informing consumers of what is available. The sheets offered change with the seasons.

For more information on the program, contact Steve Bogash at (717) 263-9226 or via e-mail at http://paipm.cas.psu.edu.

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Contact:

Cheryl Anthony cka106@psu.edu 814-865-3636 814-863-9877 fax

Kristie Auman-Bauer 814-865-2839 kma147@psu.edu #176