Project Number: 6435-32000-014-09
Project Type: General Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: Sep 01, 2008
End Date: Aug 31, 2011

Objective:
Develop guidance for the public communication component of termite integrated pest management by quantitative evaluation of impact from education, communication, urban planning, and building codes.

Approach:
A) Audubon Nature Institute will continue to deliver invasive subterranean termite educational programming free to school groups. Quantitative and statistical evaluations to measure the program success will be done through the following: (1) Pre and post testing of select classes to measure termite knowledge increased; (2) Termite informational pamphlets sent home to adult caregivers will have a coded discount coupon redeemable at the Audubon Insectarium. Adults will be encouraged to seek further knowledge about Formosan subterranean termites at the Operation Full Stop Exhibit in the Audubon Insectarium. All redeemed coupons will be tallied and data compiled to assess the amount of adults directly reached through presentations to school children; and (3) Teacher focus groups will be conducted at the Audubon Zoo to evaluate the educational components of the termite presentation. B) Audubon Nature Institute will increase the amount of adult invasive termite presentations to Homeowners Associations, Community Centers and Churches and informational brochures and pamphlets will distribute. C) Extensive, thorough training will be given to all Audubon Insectarium volunteers on the history, biology, prevention and treatment of Formosan subterranean termites. This training will be especially in-depth for volunteers who will staff the FST interaction station, located immediately after the Operation Full Stop termite exhibit at the Audubon Insectarium. We anticipate that FST volunteers will be the first representative encountered after the termite exhibit and that they will be asked many questions. We will also provide Operation Full Stop brochures in the exhibit.