School IPM 2015 - November eNewsletter

 

School IPM 2015 Newsletter: November 2013
In This Issue What's New? Upcoming Events IPM Education Success at the Austin Insect Rodeo Another Reason IPM in Schools is a Good Thing eXtension Webinar Series Recordings Available Receiving a forwarded copy?  Know of others who should receive this newsletter? Join the Schoolbugs listserv to ask questions, learn from others and share successes and challenges.   What's New This Month  The latest PNW Pest Press newsletter is available, Food in the Classroom. Jennifer Snyder of Oregon State University's School IPM Program gives suggestions for teachers, students, and staff on ways to help prevent pest problems associated with food and food debris in classrooms. We encourage you to make copies available in break rooms and staff areas throughout your district. Highlights The North Central Integrated Pest Management Center (NCIPMC) announces the availability of funds and requests proposals for Working Groups that support the NCIPMC and regional IPM priorities. Sign up for the webinar that will provide information about this funding opportunity. Thursday, December 5, 2014 at 2 p.m. ET, 1 p.m. CT Individuals can register for the webinar at  https://www.ncipmc.org/training/      The webinar will provide an overview of the new proposal focusing on an outcome-based funding approach and evaluation plans.  Individuals participating in the webinar will have an opportunity to ask questions about the RFA and its new approaches.   Upcoming Events December 20, 2013 IPM Coordinator Training  Lubbock, TX More Information February 5th, 2013 Half Day Bed Bug Workshop  Rockford, IL  More Information   Quick Links School IPM 2015 Homepage Get Involved! About School IPM 2015 Make a Contribution!	*View this newsletter as a PDF. Greetings from School IPM 2015!   Every day, 49 million children attend school in the United States, served by nearly seven million teachers and staff.   But they're not alone.  Schools are also frequented by a number of pests including cockroaches, mice, dust mites and more.  Asthma is epidemic among children, impacting nearly 6% of school children nationally with rates as high as 25% in urban centers.  Cockroaches are potent asthma triggers. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a prevention-based, highly effective approach proven to reduce pest complaints and pesticide use by up to 90% in schools and other public buildings.  IPM practices such as sanitation and exclusion also improve food safety, fire safety and energy conservation.  Our newsletter highlights real-life examples of IPM in practice and can help you start an IPM program in your school district.  For more information, visit www.schoolipm2015.com.  IPM Education Success at the Austin Insect Rodeo            The Entomological Foundation and the Entomological Society of America Education and Outreach Committee hosted the Austin Insect Rodeo on Saturday, November 9th at the Bullock Texas State History Museum. The Rodeo included a teacher workshop and insect expo, where teachers, families and kids engaged in hands on insect activities that were both fun and educational! The teacher workshop provided educators the opportunity to learn about insect curriculum. The workshop included two breakout sessions: "Bringing Insects into the Classroom: Interactive Lessons in Entomology," led by Christina Silliman and Catherine Dana, University of Champaign, IL and "Bed Bugs and Book Bags: Identification and Prevention," led by Rebecca Baldwin, University of Florida. Both sessions exposed teachers to ways of engaging their students in the exciting world of insects. Melissa Scherr, a volunteer and Executive Director for the Northwest Entomological Research Center said, "There's a fundamental fascination and an innate curiosity about these little creatures we share the world with, and that curiosity is a fantastic opportunity to connect and engage with all levels of scientific learning. The neat thing about using insects in the classroom is that you can use insects to teach just about any kind of science you want -- ecology, chemistry, even physics -- and not just broad concepts but applied science that students can see for themselves every day in their own backyard."   Workshop attendees earned two continuing education units (CEU), a pass to visit the museum, an IMAX ticket to "Flight of the Butterflies in 3D and participated in a raffle drawing. All teachers received valuable handouts and lesson plans to be utilized in their classrooms. In a satisfaction survey, attendees said, "Keep up the awesome work and thank you for being here today!" and "Very nice!! Nice balance of material and content." Warren Sconiers, a volunteer and student at Texas A&M University said, "I am excited for the elementary and middle school students because the teachers looked like they were enjoying the workshops and really thinking about how insects could be integrated into their classrooms. The insect expo was a huge success! I feel as though the children and their parents really had their worlds opened up; it was great to see families really experiencing and learning about insects for the first time." The insect expo included ten different interactive exhibits: antennae name-tags, maggot art, insect petting zoo, ant detective, termite NASCAR, pollination station, water world, bug suckers, whirling wings and insects make scents. Participants made crafts, tasted honey, played games, danced on the bee boogie dance floor and some were brave enough to pet new and interesting insects. With over 1,300 attendees the insect expo was a whirlwind of activity and fun!   Joshua Villarrea, a volunteer at the insect petting zoo holds a millipede for children to pet (left). Vanessa Kraft, mother of three who attended the expo with her husband and children said, "Our daughters had a blast. It was a well put together and creative event.  You and your team should be proud." To see photos from the insect expo and workshop, visit us on Facebook!         The Austin Insect Rodeo could not have been possible without our great group of 60 volunteers (above). Their unlimited energy and enthusiasm made this an unforgettable event. To learn more about other outreach opportunities and events visit the Entomological Foundation.      Another Reason IPM in Schools is a Good Thing A recent report compiling results of water quality monitoring for pyrethroid and fipronil insecticides in urban areas documents disturbing trends. These insecticides are widely used for structural pest control, often applied to impervious surfaces such as foundations to kill ants or other insects which otherwise might make their way into schools, homes or other structures.  Applications to impervious surfaces are prone to runoff into surface water bodies. The author reviewed monitoring results including toxicity data from sampling and analyses of surface water and sediment in urban areas in California between 2003 and 2012.  Bifenthrin was the most frequently detected insecticide, found in 69% of sediment samples and 64% of water samples.  Cyfluthrin, cyhalothrin, cypermethrin and permethrin were among the other pyrethroids detected.  Average concentrations were substantially greater than those required to kill 50% of sensitive aquatic organisms.  Fipronil, another commonly used insecticide for perimeter barrier treatments, was found in 39% of water and 19% of sediment samples. Data reviewed included samples from urban regions throughout the state, including Lake Tahoe, San Francisco, Central Valley, Central Coast, suggesting widespread toxic effects on aquatics in urban environments. IPM, with its focus on exclusion including installing door sweeps and sealing cracks and crevices, rather than regularly scheduled treatments with broad spectrum insecticides, has potential to reduce the use and loss of these persistent insecticides into surface water bodies. The report was prepared for the California Stormwater Quality Association by Armand Ruby.    eXtension Webinar Series Recordings Available  The 2013 Don't Bug Me webinar series from eXtension has come to a close. Recordings can be viewed by visiting the  Don't Bug Me 2013 Webinar Series. The 2013 series highlighted fire ants, bed bugs and other insects that affect homes and landscapes. Experts in the field discussed research-based management practices and provided real-life examples. Dr. Kathy Flanders, Extension specialist with Auburn University initiated the series in 2012.   Episodes from the 2013 series include: Fire Ant Homes Remedies - What Works, What doesn't; Ants! Ants! Ants!; You Have Fire Ants Where?; Protect Your Loved Ones from Fire Ants; Get Rid of Those Bed Bugs; Fall - A Good Time to Control Fire Ants with Bait; Home Invaders; and Keep Ants Off the Thanksgiving Table. Be sure to add All Bugs Good and Bad to your calendar for February 2014. Webinars will be held at 1 PM Eastern Time the first Friday of each month except January and July. Each webinar typically lasts 30-45 minutes. "The All Bugs Good and Bad Series webinars are specifically for people who need answers they can use. This series gives people sound, research-based solutions for pests from experts," reports Flanders.       Topics in the 2014 series will include native pollinators, pollinator decline, termites, spiders, ticks, mosquitoes, invasive insects, fire ant management and decapitating flies that attack fire ants. To learn more about the upcoming series visit: http://www.extension.org/pages/66439. The series is supported by eXtension and the Alabama Cooperative Extension System and coordinated by the Imported Fire Ant eXtension Community of Practice. If you would like to host a webinar, email Dr. Flanders for more information.

EPA to host Mold Control is Moisture Control webinar Nov 19

Mold Control is Moisture Control: Beyond the Basics for Addressing Mold Issues in Schools

Tuesday, November 19, 2013, from 3 – 4 p.m. ET. Register Now  You've identified mold in your facility – now what? Attend this webinar to learn how to successfully manage an in-house or outside contractor mold remediation. This webinar will also address strategies for communicating your efforts to your community, with the goal of alleviating any need for crisis communication tactics. Listen to how one school district in Texas tackled a potential mold crisis, which resulted in the implementation of long-term mold and moisture prevention policies and procedures. Mold Control is Moisture Control: Beyond the Basics for Addressing Mold Issues in Schools is part of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Sensible Steps to Healthier School Environments webinar series.  Attend this webinar to: ·         Find out how to effectively manage a mold remediation process in-house and using outside experts. This webinar will provide examples to assist you in determining when you really need to call in outside help. ·         Avert a potential media crisis. Learn how to efficiently communicate to your community stakeholders about how a mold issue is being handled in your school. ·         Hear from a school district in Texas that struggled with mold issues and used the Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Tools for Schools guidance to successfully institutionalize effective mold and moisture prevention practices.  Speakers: ·         Steven Caulfield, Senior Vice President, Turner Building Science and Design, and President of the Maine Indoor Air Quality Council, Harrison, Maine. Mr. Caulfield has over twenty years of experience in mechanical engineering, industrial hygiene and addressing IAQ, including in IAQ in schools. ·         Peggy Caruso, Assistant Director of Maintenance and Operations, Environmental, for Katy Independent School District, Katy, Texas. Ms. Caruso manages Katy ISD's award winning Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools program and participates heavily in planning for major equipment overhauls, renovations to existing facilities, and construction of new buildings. Facilitators: ·         Margo Young, U.S. EPA Region 10. ·         Jennifer Lemon, U.S. EPA Headquarters. Don't miss your chance to have your questions answered during the webinar. Send your questions to IAQTfSConnector@cadmusgroup.com by November 15, 2013. If you missed the previous August webinar which focused on an overview of moisture related issues in schools, you can access the presentation and detailed question and answer document here.

School IPM 2015 October eNewsletter

School IPM 2015 Newsletter: October 2013 In This Issue What's New? Upcoming Events Terrific Resources for Managing Wildlife Challenges Foodborne Pathogens Lurking in Unexpected Places IPM STAR Assessments will Verify IPM Performance in Schools Receiving a forwarded copy?  Know of others who should receive this newsletter? Join the Schoolbugs listserv to ask questions, learn from others and share successes and challenges.   What's New This Month  California Dept. of Pesticide Regulations: The Green Cleaning, Sanitizing, and Disinfecting Toolkit for Early Care and Education developed by  California Dept. of Pesticide Regulations (DPR), the University of California San Francisco School of Nursing, the University of California Berkeley's Center for Environmental Research and Children's Health, and Informed Green Solutions is now online.   The toolkit includes the following downloads:  Green Cleaning Fact Sheets for ECE Providers - 10 PDF fact sheets Green Cleaning Fact Sheets for Families Green Cleaning, Sanitizing, and Disinfecting Toolkit for Early Care and Education   The Toolkit curriculum provides a general overview of green cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting in early care and education (ECE) settings. Child care providers and staff can learn about the use of less-toxic products to clean, sanitize, and disinfect and why children are vulnerable to the health risks of cleaning products. Using the curriculum, individuals working with and for child care centers can develop and implement cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting policies and practices in a safe and effective program. Highlights Evaluation webinars announcement!  Gain a better understanding of the evaluation section of your grant proposal. The webinars are designed to answer evaluation questions regarding your specific project.  To register, click here    Upcoming Events November 9th, 2013 Austin Insect Rodeo Austin, TX More Information  November 10-13, 2013 Entomological Society of America (ESA) National Meeting Austin, TX More Information  November 13, 2013 TIPMAPS Annual Conference Austin, TX More Information   December 20, 2013 IPM Coordinator Training  Lubbock, TX More Information Quick Links School IPM 2015 Homepage Get Involved! About School IPM 2015 Make a Contribution! *View this newsletter as a PDF. Greetings from School IPM 2015!   Every day, 49 million children attend school in the United States, served by nearly seven million teachers and staff.   But they're not alone.  Schools are also frequented by a number of pests including cockroaches, mice, dust mites and more.  Asthma is epidemic among children, impacting nearly 6% of school children nationally with rates as high as 25% in urban centers.  Cockroaches are potent asthma triggers. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a prevention-based, highly effective approach proven to reduce pest complaints and pesticide use by up to 90% in schools and other public buildings.  IPM practices such as sanitation and exclusion also improve food safety, fire safety and energy conservation.  Our newsletter highlights real-life examples of IPM in practice and can help you start an IPM program in your school district.  For more information, visit www.schoolipm2015.com.  Terrific Resources for Managing Wildlife Challenges           "Wildlife control is the wild west of pest management," according to Stephen M. Vantassel, Project Coordinator of Distance Education for the University of Nebraska-Lincoln National Wildlife Control Training Program. "A major obstacle to consistent industry performance standards is the lack of high-quality resources. The Internet has nearly infinite information for wildlife control but the information provided does not always represent the best practices." Vantassel and colleagues set out to create an authoritative resource and the result is a comprehensive training program including seventeen modules. Topics include legalities and ethics, physical safety, health and diseases, structural damage, communicating risks, and best practices for animal handling and euthanization. Five modules focus key skills needed for bats, raccoons, skunks, tree squirrels and unprotected birds. A supplemental species manual was recently released to support seminar-style training for pest control agencies. This volume also includes suggested questions to ask before hiring a pest service provider. The training is available via a hard copy manual, on-line, or a two-day seminar. Click here to access the on-line resource. NWCTP also houses a digital collection of thirty years of pest management research, practices and proceedings. The database, available at (http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/icwdm/), includes more than 5400 free, searchable documents that have been prescreened for accuracy and usefulness for both pest management professionals and the public. Vantassel reports that vertebrate pest management is largely unregulated in most states, particularly in western and southern states, often contributing to confusion and inefficiency for those seeking and providing wildlife pest solutions. NWCTP's training materials are available to regulatory agencies to use and modify as a tool for regulation and certification. For example, Delaware has adopted the program as a certification requirement for State Wildlife Control Operators. Vantassel's articles have appeared in Wildlife Control Technology and Professional Wildlife Control Magazine. Presently he is National Wildlife Control Operations Association's representative for the state of Nebraska and is the editor of National Wildlife Control Operators Association News. The program and websites are collaborative efforts of the University of Nebraska at Lincoln and Cornell. Foodborne Pathogens Lurking in Unexpected Places Foodborne pathogens cost an estimated $152 billion annually in the US. Microorganisms responsible include E. coli, salmonella, avian flu and Listeria monocytogenes, a deadly pathogen and major food industry concern. Listeria affects 2,500 people in the US annually, resulting in an estimated 500 deaths. Salmonella causes close to two million illnesses a year and roughly the same number of deaths as Listeria. Listeria is of particular concern both for its high mortality rate and its ability to thrive under harsh conditions. The bacterium can multiply rapidly and form a protective "biofilm" which makes it more difficult to kill using sanitizers or disinfectants. Listeria bacteria flourish on cutting boards, floor drains, floor mats and other frequently wet areas. Hard-to-reach and thus infrequently cleaned surfaces on floors and walls, under and behind equipment and other fixtures are also frequent harborages for Listeria and other pathogens. Listeria can survive temperatures as low as 41° F and is undetectable by look, smell or taste. Floor drains are particularly important to clean regularly to prevent pathogen growth. Floor drains rarely get the same attention as food contact surfaces such as display cases, refrigerators, countertops and sinks. However Listeria and other pathogens can easily spread from floor drains to other areas on shoes, food or other objects dropped on the floor, or with the help of pests such as fruit flies, drain flies, ants or cockroaches.   Above: A clean drain compared to a dirty drain. Kitchen staff should clean from the floor up and be aware of the need to clean floor drains.           Drain cleaning practices can sometimes spread pathogens through airborne droplets formed when contaminated drains are scrubbed with brushes or pads. It is important to train food service staff to minimize spread. For example, all food should be put away prior to cleaning drains, and drains should be cleaned first, before food preparation surfaces. For a good on-line resource on food safety, visit the Food Safety Magazine website at www.foodsafetymagazine.com. IPM STAR Assessments will Verify IPM Performance in Schools  At Washington State University's Urban IPM Program, experience has shown that nationally recognized IPM STAR certification is an incentive for Washington school districts to practice high-level, verifiable IPM. The IPM STAR program, developed by Dr. Thomas Green at the IPM Institute of North America and collaborators, is designed to evaluate and recognize IPM performance in school districts. The peer-reviewed STAR program incorporates the basic tenets of IPM as its foundation, including pest knowledge, monitoring and inspections, record keeping and using long-term, effective strategies with a focus on pest prevention. Certification includes two parts; first, the evaluator must verify that the school meets minimum requirements for legal compliance and effective sanitation and exclusion practices. Second, the evaluator scores each district for implementation of 37 specific practices including IPM policies, plans, and posting and notification of pesticide applications. The evaluation takes about seven hours on average, beginning with an interview of the facilities director and/or IPM coordinator, grounds crew lead and any contracted pest management professionals. Together with the evaluator, they review IPM program records and the school's history of IPM practices. The evaluator then inspects and photographs buildings and grounds at three schools (high, middle and elementary) for pest activity and IPM practices, paying special attention to pest-conducive areas such as the kitchen and staff lounge. The evaluator also looks for evidence of pesticide use, especially in commonly overlooked areas such as the school's gardens and grounds. During the evaluation, the evaluator interviews school staff about pesticide use, pest problems and IPM practices at the school. All of this information is reflected in the district's score. All required practices and a minimum score of 70% receive IPM STAR certification, with the benefit of a plaque and a press release recognizing their accomplishments. To learn more about IPM STAR certification program, visit www.ipminstitute.org/ipmstar.htm  Currently, Washington has one of the highest rates of IPM STAR certification in the country, with nine school districts achieving certification and several pending. Certified school districts spread the word about the IPM STAR program, which further increases participation among Washington school districts. As IPM STAR continues to gain popularity in Washington, Washington's Urban IPM Program looks forward to the day when all Washington school districts have verifiable IPM programs.