Online and interactive IPM educational tools for retail employees

Consumers looking for pest management information or help with choosing pesticides often turn to their local garden center, hardware or “big box” store for advice. Unfortunately employees of these stores frequently are unable to provide needed information because they have little or no training in pesticide or pest management related topics. The University of California Statewide IPM Program (UCIPM) has created a free, online training program for retail employees and others such as Master Gardeners who give pest management advice. Another tool now being distributed to reach these audiences is a touch-screen computer kiosk that can be placed in stores or other public locations to help consumers diagnose problems and find least toxic solutions. User statistics show increasing interest in these educational approaches.