Which method can help avoid the development of pest resistance?

Implementing integrated pest management (IPM) strategies is a crucial method for avoiding the development of pest resistance. IPM involves a multi-faceted approach to pest control that combines biological, cultural, physical, and chemical tools in a way that minimizes the risks to human health, beneficial organisms, and the environment. By diversifying pest control methods, IPM reduces the dependence on any single type of pesticide, which ultimately helps to prevent pests from becoming resistant. This strategic rotation and combination of controls disrupts the life cycle of pests and reduces their overall population, diminishing the likelihood that they will adapt to and overcome specific pesticide applications.

In contrast, using the same pesticide repeatedly can lead to an increase in resistance as pests that survive initial applications may pass on their resistant traits to future generations. Ignoring minor infestations fails to recognize the potential for pests to multiply and become more difficult to manage later on. Using pesticides only when pests are visible may lead to ineffective control, as it does not take into account the pest's life cycle and the best timing for applications, which is often based on understanding pest population dynamics rather than just visible signs.