Manage pests, using integrated pest management (IPM) strategies.
Management should include
- identifying the major categories of pests
- explaining the life cycles of common plant pests
- recognizing signs of pest damage
- identifying the major categories of weeds
- identifying beneficial insects
- explaining the difference between selective and nonselective herbicides
- explaining safety precautions and techniques of handling and applying pesticides
- discussing the importance of IPM
- recording pest problems in a school landscape
- developing pest control schedules for ornamental plantings and turfgrass
- describing how to control weeds (e.g., with preemergence and postemergence herbicide)
- explaining control measures used for insects and other pests infesting trees and shrubs
- explaining control measures used for foliar diseases
- reviewing pesticide application recordkeeping requirements.
Teacher Resources:
- Virginia Pesticide Safety Links to an external site., Office of Pesticide Services, VDACS
- Chemicals and Pesticides Links to an external site., Youth in Agriculture eTool, OSHA
- Can children become certified to apply pesticides? Links to an external site., Virginia Turfgrass Council
Process/Skill Questions:
- How are herbicides selected?
- What are important safety practices to follow when using pesticides?
- How might one diagnose plant diseases based on symptoms exhibited by the plant(s)?
- How might one diagnose insect damage, infestation, and the need to report information to authorities?
- How does the county extension office aid in plant disease identification and reporting?