Zapping insects in your house and backyard is getting more complicated on P.E.I., as the province moves to control the sale of domestic pesticides.

'It's going to be an ongoing cost each year for us.'— Jamie Lewis, Home Hardware

Many domestic pesticides will no longer be available for customers to just grab off the shelf of the local hardware store. Starting March 1, they will have to go to the counter and ask for them.

"It's like a drug store. There's over-the-counter and ones you have to get from a pharmacist," said Environment Minister Jamie Ballem.

Lawn pesticides will no longer be available off the shelf.

"They will have to get a certain class of pesticides from an employee of the store who has been trained in dealing with pesticides, and they will give you some advice on how to use it."

Jamie Lewis, the manager Charlottetown's Home Hardware, said there will be some costs involved for the store to meet regulations. 

"We have to look at purchasing some shelving units to help secure the pesticides that are on the controlled substance part of it," he said.

"It's also going to involve training for the staff. In a garden section we do have renewing staff each year, but we also have turnover, so it's going to be an ongoing cost each year for us."

The first information session for retailers will be held next Monday at the Agriculture Canada research station in Charlottetown. There will be other information sessions across the province over the next few weeks.