A card game, called Pest Sense, has been developed to help people, in a fun and novel way, to understand the principles of integrated pest management (IPM) and safe chemical use. It is a useful learning tool for market gardeners, horticulturists, industry people, and students (in secondary school, TAFE and university undergraduate courses).

Reading pesticide labels and recording pesticide use can be difficult, particularly for people from non-English-speaking backgrounds. The card game will help players learn to:

• recognise pest insects;
• recognise beneficial insects;
• link beneficials to appropriate pests;
• understand various chemical control options;
• use chemicals safely and responsibly.

The game

The card game comes with a set of playing instructions. Some features of the game are as follows:

• The game is based on the gin-rummy card game.
• Up to six people can play.
• Each game lasts about 10 minutes.
• The cards are slightly larger than ordinary playing cards.
• The cards contain pictures of insect pests, beneficial insects, pesticide containers, an Environment Protection Authority inspector, a person disposing of chemicals safely etc.
• The cards have a hierarchy, for example a 'beneficial insect' card will override an 'insect pest' card.
• Players are allowed to look at other players' cards, so that everyone can learn to understand the principles involved.