D.B. Pest Presents Pest Management Activities for Grades K through 4 Pesticide Education Program www.pested.psu.edu
Who Am I? A pest can be a disease, insect, mold, weed, bacteria, animal, or fungus, among other things. They become a pest when they cause damage or other problems around your home. Match the letter of each picture to the correct group at the bottom of pages 1 and 2. For example, letter J is bacteria, which belongs in the Others list. mouse/rat A athlete s foot C D cockroach F B mildew/mold flea E groundhog burdock G Animals page 1 Insects
A Pest of Course! tick H J bacteria K disease I M mole/vole L N deer thistle O mosquito P crabgrass dandelion Weeds Others J page 2
Controlling Pests with IPM Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is using different ways to keep pests at an acceptable level. After you know what the pest is, finding ways to control it is the next step. Ways to control pests include: Culturally: Changing the environment so pests don t want to live there. For example, putting mulch around trees keeps weeds from growing because they can t get sunlight. Mechanically: Using physical objects to keep pests out or control them once they get in your home. For example, using screens to keep insects out or traps to catch mice in your home. Chemically: Controlling, or getting rid of, the pest by using sprays, dusts, granulars, or another type of product. For example, bug spray is used to keep mosquitoes from biting when you are outside. Biologically: Using natural enemies to control pests. For example, cats chase mice away, bats eat mosquitoes, and good bugs (beneficial insects), like lady beetles, eat bugs that are pests. page 3
Create a Smooshed Fly (And don t forget to add your own cool details!)...and color me gone! Bugged by flies? More examples of IPM. Pick up and throw away all food waste and garbage. If you don t, you are feeding and giving them a place to live. Stop flies and other insects before they get inside your home. Use bait or products that attract and trap them outside. Don t place traps near doors and follow label directions. Don t overuse outdoor fly sprays. Using outdoor sprays usually won t do much good and often may even hurt good bugs that eat the bad bugs. NEVER use outdoor fly sprays indoors just swat em! This is called a targeted insect control. page 4
Check in the Kitchen From the list below, match the number with the practice shown in the picture. Put the number in the shaded circle. For example, #1 has been done for you. 1 1. Store foods in airtight containers. 2. Don t store pesticides under sinks where children can reach them. 3. Clean up garbage or food crumbs. 4. Keep emergency numbers by the phone. page 5
Rummage in the Garage From the list below, match the number with the practice shown in the picture. Put the number in the shaded circle. 1. Always lock pesticide storage areas. 2. Properly clean up spills immediately. 3. Always read the label. 4. Store pesticides in their original containers. page 6
Signal Words Indicate Toxicity or poison! Many poisonous products and not just pesticides have signal words. When used on pesticide labels, signal words tell toxicity. Toxicity is how poisonous a product may be. Caution indicates the least toxic or poisonous. Warning is more toxic and Danger Poison is the most toxic. Danger indicates a severe eye or skin irritant. DANGER POISON DANGER Color the... Caution area green Warning area yellow Danger area orange Danger Poison area red. WARNING CAUTION page 7
ALWAYS READ THE LABEL Read the four labels on this page and color the product labels to match the color of the SIGNAL WORD on page 7. page 8
Stroll in the Yard From the list below, match the number with the practice shown in the picture. Put the number in the shaded circle. 1. Cover bird baths before applying pesticides. 2. Keep pets out of areas treated with pesticides until sprays are dried. 3. Don t spray pesticides when it s windy. 4. Don t eat or drink where pesticides are being used. page 9
Wander in the Garden From the list below, match the number with the practice shown in the picture. Put the number in the shaded circle. 1. Identify the pest. 2. Provide nutrients, water, and sunlight. 3. Use plants that fight off pests (pest resistant). 4. Use mulch to control weeds. page 10
Control Mosquito Breeding Hotspots Eliminate standing water. Put an X over anything you see around the house and yard that might allow water to collect and color those areas blue. This is where female mosquitoes like to hide and lay their eggs. You should be able to find at least 12. Hints, clues, and tips to cooling hotspots: Mosquitoes, the insect that spreads the West Nile Virus, can breed in any puddle of water. Remove or turn upside down anything outside that can hold water. Clear debris from storm drains and window wells. Regularly clean or circulate the water in birdbaths, pools, and ponds. Clean roof gutters and spouting every year. Fill any lowspots in the landscape that would collect water. page 11
Keep Pests from Pestering You! Bug Off But be safe Using Repellents Safely Always Read the Label! Read and follow all label directions. Never spray repellents near food. Combination products with sunscreen and DEET are not recommended. Use just enough repellent to lightly cover skin and clothing. Repellents should never be sprayed under clothes. An adult should rub repellent on their hands before putting a thin layer on a child s face. Wipe off or wash hands after insect repellent has been applied. A special thanks to the Minnesota Department of Agriculture for the graphic above. Visit them at http://www.mda.state.mn.us/plants. page 12
Keep in Mind! D.B. Pest Wants You to Remember: Integrated Pest Management (IPM) gives you many choices to control pests (bugs, weeds, diseases, rodents, etc.) Cultural Controls: Changing the environment so pests don t want to live there. Mechanical Controls: Using physical objects to keep pests out or control them once they get in your home. Biological Controls: Using natural enemies to control pests. Chemical Controls: Controlling, or getting rid of, the pest by using sprays, dusts, granulars, or another type of product. If chemical control is necessary, remember adults should read the product label before they pick, mix, apply, store, or dispose of the product. Remember to follow all label directions. When used properly, pesticides can be a safe and effective control method. So...YOU want ANSWERS! Page 1-2. Animals: A,E,K,L Weeds: G,M,N,P Insects: D,F,H,O Others: J,B,C,I Page 5 Page 6 4 1 4 1 page 13 3 2 2 3
More Answers Page 8 Caution: GREEN Danger: ORANGE Warning: YELLOW Danger Poison: RED Page 9 Page 10 3 1 2 4 2 1 3 4 Page 11 College of Agricultural Sciences Pesticide Education Program Additional copies of this activity book can be printed from our web site at: http://www.pested.psu.edu/youth.shtml The Pennsylvania State University is committed to the policy that all persons shall have equal access to programs, facilities, admission, and employment without regard to personal characteristics not related to ability, performance, or qualifications as determined by University policy or by state or federal authorities. It is the policy of the University to maintain an academic and work environment free of discrimination, including harassment. The Pennsylvania State University prohibits discrimination and harassment against any person because of age, ancestry, color, disability or handicap, national origin, race, religious creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or veteran status. Discrimination or harassment against faculty, staff, or students will not be tolerated at The Pennsylvania State University. Direct all inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policy to the Affirmative Action Director, The Pennsylvania State University, 328 Boucke Building, University Park, PA 16802-5901; Tel 814-865-4700/V, 814-863-1150/TTY. page 14
D.B. Pest is still on the loose. For more information about Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and Pesticide Safety around the home, catch D.B. Pest at: http://www.pested.psu.edu/youth Remember: Adults should ALWAYS read and follow label directions!! More Resources: Poison Center Hotline and Web Site: 1-800-222-1222 and http://www.1-800-222-1222.info/poisonhelp.asp National Pesticide Information Center Phone and Web Site: 1-800-858-7378 and http://npic.orst.edu/ Pest Problem Solver: extension.psu.edu/ipm/resources/pestproblemsolver Penn State Cooperative Extension Office Contact Information: http://www.extension.psu.edu/counties Pesticide Education Program www.pested.psu.edu