What best practice should applicators follow when dealing with resistant pest populations?

Implementing Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies is the best practice for dealing with resistant pest populations. IPM is a holistic approach that combines multiple strategies for effective pest control while minimizing risks to human health, beneficial organisms, and the environment. This approach involves the careful monitoring of pest populations, understanding their life cycles, and employing various management tactics, including biological control, cultural practices, mechanical control, and judicious use of chemical pesticides.

By incorporating IPM, applicators can reduce reliance on any single method, which helps to prevent the development of resistance in pest populations. It encourages rotating different types of control measures and using pesticides with varying modes of action, which can disrupt the life cycle of pests and mitigate the effects of resistance.

In contrast, relying solely on chemical treatments may lead to higher levels of resistance over time, as pests are continuously exposed to the same substances. Ignoring changes in pest behavior fails to address the dynamics of resistance and can result in ineffective pest management. Increasing the frequency of pesticide applications without a strategic plan can also exacerbate resistance and negatively impact non-target organisms and the environment. Thus, using IPM not only addresses existing resistance issues but also promotes sustainable pest management practices.