What is one effective way to manage pesticide resistance?

The effective management of pesticide resistance involves rotating pesticides with different modes of action. This strategy is crucial because it helps to prevent pests from becoming resistant to a particular pesticide. When the same pesticide is used repeatedly, pests that are naturally resistant can survive and reproduce, leading to a population that is increasingly difficult to control with that pesticide.

By rotating pesticides, you introduce different active ingredients that work on various biological pathways in the pests. This disrupts the potential for resistance development, as pests that have adapted to one mode of action may still be susceptible to another. It's a fundamental practice in integrated pest management (IPM) and is recommended to ensure long-term efficacy of pest control measures while minimizing environmental impact.

Other options may suggest practices that do not effectively address the root of resistance development. For example, increasing the application rates of the same pesticide might initially reduce pest populations but can lead to faster resistance development. Similarly, limiting the use of all pesticides could result in uncontrolled pest populations, while applying pesticides at night may not directly manage resistance but could be a tactic to reduce non-target organism exposure. Thus, rotating pesticides is a proactive and scientifically supported strategy to manage resistance effectively.