Pest Private Eye An Educational Role-playing Video Game

Pest Private Eye Educational video game and website about an IPM detective! http://pestgame.unl.edu http://schoolipm.unl.edu/pestpi/ Introduce that the students will be playing a game about IPM, and that you’ll be talking a little about what IPM means before they begin playing. Mention the website where they can play online, or explain that you will be handing out CDs for them to use at the end of your presentation. Give the URL for the Pest PI main website and explain this is where they can find more information and resources about pests, IPM, and a survey about the game.

The game teaches about pests and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Ask the students what they think a pest is and to give you some examples. Ask them if they can give examples about how to control a pest. Then explain that you are going to tell them a little more about pests and how to control them using a concept called Integrated Pest Management.

What are pests?: Animals or plants living where they are not wanted Remember: Food + Water +Shelter = Pests Pests, like all living things, need these basic requirements in order to survive. Discuss what a pest is and that in order to control a pest, you will first need to identify it. Explain that a pest is an animal or plant that is out of place, or living where it’s not wanted. Usually pests compete with humans for space and resources, or they damage our homes and schools. Some pests cause allergies and have been found to be asthma triggers. Others carry bacteria and transmit diseases. Pests, like all living things, need food, water, and shelter in order to survive.

Without food, water, and shelter, pests will leave or die Taking away one or all of these things is a first step to solving your pest problem! Explain that the way to control a pest is to take away what is helping it survive…for example, leaving crumbs out for it to feed on. Let them know that different pests like different things, so it is important to identify what a pest is before you control it. For example, there are ants that like protein and ants that like sugar. Putting out a bait made from sweet material will not help if the ants are protein feeders! Explain that they’ll learn more about how to identify pests in the game.

We can manage pests using IPM. So, what is IPM? Integrated Pest Management, or IPM, uses a variety of methods to control pests. Explain that Integrated Pest Management is a strategy for controlling pests through a variety of methods including, but not limited to, sanitation, exclusion, trapping, baiting, and pesticides. Note that you will explain what each of these means. IPM also emphasizes the use of non-toxic or low toxic methods before considering the use of pesticides. If pesticides are used, IPM suggests that less toxic pesticides be used before those that are higher in toxicity. Explain that toxicity refers to how poisonous the pesticide is to humans. They are all toxic to the pest, but we want to use chemicals that are not likely to harm humans.

We can manage pests using IPM. So, what is IPM? IPM includes: Education Habitat Modification Sanitation Exclusion Mechanical Controls Biological Controls Chemical Controls Explain that you will be going over each element of IPM with the class.

IPM Strategies Education—Teaching about pests and how to manage them through presentations, posters, displays, educational materials Although not technically an “IPM method,” education is a good way to let people know about IPM. You can familiarize people with pests and how to manage them using IPM through presentations, posters, displays, and other educational materials.

IPM Strategies Habitat Modification—Changing a pest's environment to make it undesirable to the pest, such as fixing leaky sinks to reduce water sources Explain how you can change the environment where a pest lives to make it undesirable to the pest. This is called habitat modification. Examples would be sealing cracks and crevices to keep pests from having places to hide, or preventing available water by fixing leaky faucets. In addition, too much humidity can also encourage mold growth. Drippy faucets can provide enough water to sustain many different pests. It’s important to watch for signs of too much moisture. Use dehumidifiers if needed as well as fixing leaks. Pests need water to survive, so don’t make it easily accessible!

IPM Strategies Sanitation—Keeping things clean and reducing clutter This is one of the first and most important steps in IPM. It’s easy, non-toxic, and both adults and children can contribute to the effort. Sanitation is keeping things clean, such as by mopping, cleaning counters, and reducing clutter. It also includes keeping trash cans and dumpsters emptied. Mention that the big outside dumpsters, if located farther from school buildings, will prevent flying insects or rodents that are attracted to these areas from entering your school.

IPM Strategies Exclusion—Keeping pests out by screening windows, sealing holes, etc. Tell the students that the “Exclusion” concept means keeping pests from getting into the building in the first place! Screening windows, sealing holes, keeping tree branches from touching a building, and using door sweeps are some good techniques.

IPM Strategies Mechanical Controls—Trapping pests Explain how these are non-toxic, physical ways to capture or kill pests. Some examples might include trapping mice with snap traps, glue boards, or multi-catch traps; using a fly swatter; or stomping on a pest with your shoe!

IPM Strategies Biological Controls—Using natural enemies, such as praying mantids, to kill pests Mantids, parasitic wasps, lady beetles are some biological control insects. They kill pest species. Be cautious when introducing biological controls so that they do not become pests themselves (such as the Multicolored Asian lady beetles have…they eat aphids, but also invade our homes, smell bad, and bite us!)

IPM Strategies Chemical Controls—Using low-toxic pesticides. These chemicals kill pests but are low risk to humans When pesticides are necessary, use the lowest toxic ones available, such as gels, baits, or dusts that go into cracks and crevices. Always wear gloves and other personal protective equipment (PPE) when using any pesticides. Explain to the students that adults should always be the ones to apply a pesticide and that they (children) and pets should not touch it.

Pest PI Video Game Solve your own pest problems through IPM in this first person role-playing game. Let’s play! After you have discussed IPM, you can let the students know it’s time to play the game. This can either be in the classroom or as a homework assignment. Let them know you’ll be doing follow up activities that correspond with the game at a later time.

Another Case Solved! Feel free to contact Clyde Ogg or Erin Bauer at the Pesticide Education Office with any questions about the Pest Private Eye Game!