Wild World of Pest Management

Wild World of Pest Management

An Introduction to Integrated Pest Management for Youth 

Larry Schulze, Pesticide Education Specialist

Larry Schulze introduces 5th graders to the Wild World of Pest Management at an earth festival held recently in Lincoln, Nebraska.

                                   

It has been felt or seen by most Cooperative Extension workers. It initially appears quite innocently. Maybe it’s a casual comment from a client, or it could be an expression of substantial concern or fear.
Whatever the original source, expressed apprehension concerning the broad spectrum of chemicals, their purpose, their use or misuse, their impact (real or imagined), is felt in our communities.

One may wince when a comment is heard that "all chemicals should be eliminated." If ever there is a "teachable moment", that’s one. Our entire world is make up of chemicals, either elements or compounds. Water, the most basic of our needs, is a chemical compound.

The chemophobia issue came home to me in a specific incident. My younger daughter returned one day from junior high school venting her frustration. Her classmates had discussed careers and shared what their parents did for a living. When she said that her father worked with pesticides and taught pesticide safety, her teacher reacted with visible horror. He commented that pesticides killed everything and, in his opinion, caused unnecessary health risks.

So, the need to present a more objective view of pesticides became evident. Youth and adults could benefit from a broader perspective concerning pesticides. As a result, the "Wild World of Pest Management" presentation was developed. It has the approach and adaptability that allows it to be presented to a youth or adult audience, and has been used with 4-H groups and at environmental field days. A lesson plan is included at the end of this discussion.

In the presentation of the "Wild World of Pest Management", the incorporation of visual aids and audience participation are critical for optimum involvement and learning. The visual aids are identified on the lesson plan. Whenever possible, live visuals such as Madagascar hissing cockroaches, dandelions and snakes are used. New, empty pesticide containers obtained from chemical companies are also used as exhibits whenever possible.

The approach in the presentation is straightforward and basic. It begins with the underlying principle of all pest management strategies: Identify the pest first and then consider the natural and optional methods IF a control is needed. Pesticides, as an optional pest control method, are deliberately presented last. All other optional methods should be considered first. During the discussion, the concept that pesticides occur naturally in nature is presented. The presentation also strikes at the myth that "naturally occurring pesticides are much safer than synthetic pesticides."

Commonly, pesticides are usually thought to be those products that are only applied by exterminators, lawn care operators and farmers so pesticide products, especially those commonly found in homes and accepted for their pesticidal properties, such as Clorox bleach, Comet cleaner, are discussed and presented.

A cavalier attitude about pesticides definitely is not part of this presentation. Since all pesticides have the potential to be toxic (the dose makes the poison), all must be evaluated before use, and then used properly.

The conclusion to this presentation emphasizes these important points about pest management:

1. some very common products are pesticides,
2. pesticides are not the first choice in pest management,
3. their need and benefits can easily be taken for granted,
4. when a pesticide is selected for use, use it wisely and according to the label, and
5. we have a shared responsibility for environmental stewardship and protection when controlling pests.

Lesson plans are distributed to teachers as they escort their classes to the Wild World of Pest Management sessions. Each session is about 20 or 25 minutes in length. Teachers are encouraged to reinforce points gleaned from the presentation with their students as a follow-up learning activity. The lesson plans are present here in two formats: the one-page format as distributed to the teachers or the expanded and illustrated lesson plan.

A slide presentation on the Wild World of Pest Management includes pictures of the program as it is presented. In this case, the program is delivered in a cabin at an indoor setting at a water festival (a 4-H camp) near Fairbury, Nebraska. The slide presentation describes the delivery of the program, the interactions with the students, and their participation.

Wild World of Pest Management Slide Presentation:  low resolution   high resolution

Enjoy the presentation.