Iowa Pesticide Applicator Practice Exam

What is a crucial step to prevent pesticide resistance?

1. Using the same pesticide continuously

2. Utilizing different modes of action

3. Increasing pesticide dosage

4. Ignoring pesticide treatment history

The correct answer is: Utilizing different modes of action

Utilizing different modes of action is a crucial step in preventing pesticide resistance because it helps to manage and reduce the likelihood that pests will develop resistance to the chemicals being used. When a single pesticide or a chemical with the same mode of action is repeatedly applied, pests may adapt and evolve to survive that particular treatment, leading to resistant populations. By rotating or combining pesticides that work in different ways, you disrupt the potential for pests to adapt, making it more challenging for them to build resistance. This approach maintains the effectiveness of pest control strategies over time and helps preserve the efficacy of the available pesticides. In contrast, using the same pesticide continuously increases the risk of resistance development, as does increasing the dosage without altering the chemical used. Ignoring pesticide treatment history can result in ineffective pest management strategies, as it often leads to a failure to recognize if resistance has already developed within a pest population. Therefore, employing varied modes of action is fundamental for sustainable pest management and delaying resistance.