Posted by: Kim_Hamilton on 03/24/2009 03:32 PM
Updated by: Kim_Hamilton on 03/24/2009 03:32 PM
Expires: 01/01/2014 12:00 AM
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University of California adds second course to free, online pesticide training for retail employees~By Ken Churches
The University of California (UC) Statewide Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Program has released a second course in its free, online pesticide training series for retail employees at www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/IPMPROJECT/edprogramsmenu.html. These courses were created to increase consumer awareness about pesticides and alternative options for managing pests in homes and gardens. ....
Home gardeners often look to their local garden center for information to help solve their pest problems. Surveys by UC IPM confirm that many consumers do not know how to choose, use, or dispose of pesticides properly and are not always aware of safer alternatives.
The first course in the series, Introduction to Pesticides for Retail Employees, was introduced in 2008. Employees learned about the types of pesticides, how to direct customers to least-toxic products, how to use the pesticide label to answer questions, and how to advise customers about safely using and storing pesticides or cleaning up spills.
The second course, Moving Beyond Pesticides, includes a basic overview of IPM and how to diagnose and manage pest problems. The course features low-toxicity tools and products sold in most garden centers. Participants will have the opportunity to learn about resistant varieties, mulches, and pruning and irrigation tools, types of hoes and cultivators, and types of pest traps. The course also includes tips for identifying, protecting and encouraging the use of beneficial insects and installing fabric mulch. The program ends with specific examples of IPM programs featuring garden center products for managing snails and slugs, weeds, rats and mice, and aphids.
This article adapted from Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service, USDA. Please contact Ken Churches at cdcalaveras@ucdavis.edu or (209) 754-6475 with your agricultural questions. To speak with a Certified Master Gardener: Calaveras (209) 754-2880, Tuolumne (209) 533-5696, Amador (209) 223-6837, El Dorado (530) 621-5543.
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