IPM in Schools Process Video Coming Soon!

Back in March I blogged about the IPM in Schools video that we filmed here in Lincoln. The editing process is almost complete and "How to Conduct IPM in Schools" will soon be ready to post on YouTube and to send to Nebraska schools.

This video takes the viewer through the steps involved in conducting an IPM in Schools demonstration. It is intended as an introduction to other school districts who may be interested in doing IPM in their buildings.

We have created a teaser trailer for the movie...Jimmy the PSEP robot is back! Keep an eye on this blog for an announcement about the official release date :-)

Upcoming IPM Contest!

Calling all IPMers out there! Visit our Facebook page beginning June 6 and write about your experiences with IPM in schools, at home, in the workplace (or other buildings) and enter to win a cool IPM Inspection kit.

Keep checking here and on our PSEP Facebook page for more information as the date grows closer. In the meantime, enjoy this fun promo where Jimmy the PSEP robot discusses the IPM contest.

Child Care IPM

Yesterday Clyde, Barb and I attended the Nebraska Child Care Directors meeting and presented about IPM, cockroaches, mice, bed bugs, and head lice to about 20 child care directors.

There has been a recent trend toward establishing IPM in Child Care Centers, which share some commonalities with schools (many have kitchens, storage areas, etc.) as well as differences (most dealing with younger children that crawl on the floor and are in closer contact with the environment around them). We emphasized many of the same IPM concepts to control pests, such as good sanitation, reducing clutter, sealing cracks and crevices, using non-toxic or lower toxic methods such as trapping, and habitat modification. There were many questions, especially concerns about head lice and bed bugs.

In October we will be doing a similar presentation to child care providers through the Lancaster Country Health Department and it is our hope that we may be able to conduct IPM pilots in interested day cares as we have done in schools. Stay tuned for more on this in the near future!

NRD Nature Nights 2011

Last year I blogged about the Nebraska Resource District Nature Nights, which are held annually at various local Lincoln schools. This environmental education program features booths from UNL Extension, NRD, Lincoln Children's Zoo, Pioneers Park, Morrill Hall, and many other nature-related organizations or programs.

About 150 youth and parents attended last night's event (one of several offered in 2011). I had a booth that provided youth with information about various Nebraska insect species (including large number of pests!) using insect displays and live insects. They also received a set of insect trading cards and Pest Private Eye comic books. I was asked a lot of questions about pests, and was really excited to see the interest kids had in insects. I also had attending parents and teachers point out pest problems they had and was able to tell them more about using IPM for catching and controlling pests (cockroaches being a big one).