Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

Sample Lessons

Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches

Group with cockroaches Group with cockroaches

Grade 4: Know types of Pests

Grade 7: Explain benefits and harmful effects of Pests

Project: Build-a-Bug

Procedure: Pick a bug, any bug! After doing research in the library to find the insect of preference, you will be expected to build a replica from materials of your own choice. Madagascar Cockroaches are excellent organisms for demonstration of body parts and for experiments through the year. They are easy to maintain and safe for handling. They will not infest the building and the students love to hold them. The Meal worm Beetle is another organism easily maintained in the classroom and readily available for showing the process of metamorphosis.

Cricket Hop

Demonstration - Cricket Hop Demonstration - Cricket Hop

Grade 4: Identify and categorize pests

Project: Insect Hop

Materials:

  • Hopping Arena
  • Crickets or young grasshoppers or any other insects which hop
  • Tape measure to mark off arena
Procedure: Place insect at the start position. Record how far it hops. Repeat process and discuss results.

Extension: The students can jump using a larger arena and compare leaping ability of insects to humans.

What's That Smell? Safe Pesticide Handling
Handling Pesticides Handling Pesticides

Grade 7: Explain various integrated pest management practices used in society.

Project: What's that Smell?

Focus: Interfering with the communication process, is one method of controlling pests.

Materials:

  • Film canisters with lids
  • cotton balls
  • blindfold (optional)
  • common household products i.e., Vanilla extract, horseradish, hand lotion, almond extract
Procedure: Before the activity place a few drops of sample solutions on cotton balls. Place these in the vials and put on lids. Prepare 2 canisters with each scent.

  1. Each student is given a canister and blindfolded.
  2. Students are directed to find their partner with the matching scent.
Grade 4: (Applicable to All Grade Levels) Explain pest control.

Project: Pesticide Safety

Focus: Demonstrate the safe handling of pesticides to minimize contamination to humans and the environment.

Materials:

  • Lab aprons
  • Rubber gloves
  • Safety goggles
  • Glogerm fluorescent dye (nontoxic)
  • UV Light
Procedure:

  1. Spread dye on several students hands. Have some students wearing safety equipment and some wearing no safety equipment.
  2. Have students do other activities for several minutes.
  3. Have volunteers stand under UV light to see spread of material on body through ordinary motion and activities.