Pest Private Eye game is finished!

The University of Nebraska--Lincoln Extension is pleased to announce the completion of Pest Private Eye and the Case of IPM in Schools, an educational first person role playing video game that teaches children and the educators who work with them about pests and how to control them using Integrated Pest Management.

To find out more about Pest Private Eye, visit http://schoolipm.unl.edu/pestpi/ There you can find links to a demo, online versions of a Teacher's guide and comic book, and other resources about pests and IPM. Please pass this information along to anyone you think might be interested!

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to let us know!

Erin Bauer and Clyde Ogg
Pesticide Education Office
University of Nebraska--Lincoln

Schools look at ways to get the bugs out: Kids sensitive to both roach feces, pesticides

The Clark County School District shouldn't rely on pesticides to eliminate cockroaches, which produce feces that are a leading environmental trigger for asthma, a federal official said.

Sherry Glick, the national pesticides and schools coordinator for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, told Clark County School Board members and district officials last week that children are much more sensitive than adults to such toxins and are at greater risk for exposure because of their habits. [Full Article]

School IPM in AASA Publication

The American Association of School Administrators (AASA) recently published a winter newsletter that highlights school IPM (see page two of the publication). Thanks to Erin Tucker of SchoolDude for writing the linked article.

EPA Region 8 through their Pollution Prevention Healthy and Safe Schools Webinar series is hosting a school IPM session THIS Week Wednesday February 10, 2010 at 4:30 PM CST. If you are interested in monitoring, please see to the links below for registration and details.
Space is limited.

Reserve your Webinar seat now at:
https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/181117912

By clicking the above registration link, you will receive your login instructions for the Integrated Pest Management Session.

For a complete description of our upcoming presentations go to:
http://www.peakstoprairies.org/webinars/2010_healthy-safe-schools/HealthyAndSafeSchoolsWebinars_2010.pdf

We look forward to your participation in this great learning opportunity!

Bed Bug Humor

The Onion presents a satirical article regarding bed bugs in the White House. See http://www.theonion.com/content/news_briefs/white_house_infested_with

IPM implementation in PA School District Featured on IAQ (Indoor Air Quality) Radio

IPM implementation in PA School District Featured on IAQ (Indoor Air Quality) Radio Noon Friday, Feb 5! Listen on your computer!

This Week on IAQ Radio
EPISODE 154 -Integrated Pest Management
Maria Moio & Mike Dicroce
Pittsburgh Public Schools IPM Program
02/05/2010 12:00 PM EST
www.iaqradio.com

Episode Notes: This week we tackle an issue that has escaped our radar for too long. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is one of the most important components of a residential or commercial indoor environmental quality program. When a home or building is crawling with little creatures indoor environmental quality suddenly becomes a very important issue. Unfortunately in some cases there can be an overreaction which creates even bigger problems. This week we discuss the correct way to deal with pests with two people that have been there and done that. Maria Moio was responsible for developing the program and Mike Dicroce is the current IPM Coordinator for the Pittsburgh Public Schools. The Pittsburgh Public Schools were 1st in Pennsylvania and 5th in the nation to be “IPM Star Certified” by the IPM Institute of North America. They will join us this week on IAQ Radio to discuss the ins and outs of Integrated Pest Management and give us their front line perspective.
Hosted by: Joe Hughes/Cliff Zlotnik

Listening tips: Log on to www.iaqradio.com. Click on the red link “go to show”. This takes you to the Talkshow website where the show is hosted. Listen live by signing in and downloading the Talkshow software (only for the computer savy) or just click JOIN AS GUEST (no download necessary). Give it about 5 seconds and you will hear the show streaming on your computer.

Alliance Promotes Integrated Pest Management For Ants

Ants are among the most difficult pests to manage in urban settings, but pesticides that control them are major contributors to water quality problems. Providing professionals and homeowners with better information for effectively managing ants without harming the environment is one of the highest priorities of UC IPM’s Urban and Community IPM Program, and several projects are helping to meet this goal. One of them is the Urban Ant Pest Management Alliance (PMA).

For more information visit: http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/highlights/antalliance.html