What practices can support sustainable pesticide use?

The practice of rotating pesticides and applying them only when necessary based on monitoring is a key component of sustainable pesticide use. This approach minimizes the risk of pest resistance, which can occur when the same pesticide is used repeatedly over time. By rotating different classes of pesticides, applicators are less likely to provide pests with consistent exposure to a singular mode of action, thus reducing the chance that pests will develop resistance.

Additionally, applying pesticides only when they are needed—determined through careful monitoring—ensures that pesticides are used judiciously and only to address specific pest problems. This not only conserves the efficacy of the products but also minimizes potential negative impacts on non-target organisms, including beneficial insects, and reduces possible environmental contamination. This method contributes to maintaining an ecological balance in the environment and supports integrated pest management (IPM) strategies, which emphasize prevention and control through a variety of practices.

In contrast, using higher-risk products exclusively, applying pesticides on a regular schedule regardless of pest presence, and always using the same pesticide for all applications can lead to increased resistance, unnecessary applications that can harm the environment, and decreased effectiveness of pest control measures over time. These practices do not align with the principles of sustainable pesticide use.