Which technique extends the time required for a pest to develop resistance to a pesticide?

Varying the active ingredient used for pest control is an effective technique to extend the time required for a pest to develop resistance to pesticides. This approach disrupts the selection pressure that a single active ingredient would impose on the pest population. When pests are continually exposed to the same chemical, those that are genetically predisposed to survive the chemical will eventually become more prominent in the population, leading to resistance.

By rotating or mixing different active ingredients, particularly those with different modes of action, pest populations are less likely to adapt because they are repeatedly exposed to various chemicals that target them in different ways. This variability keeps the pest population from developing a strain that can withstand a specific pesticide. Thus, the longer the time it takes for resistance to develop, the more effective pest management strategies can become.

In contrast, consistently using the same active ingredient places constant pressure on the pest population, which accelerates resistance development. Shortening application intervals may lead to more rapid exposure to the same substances without providing the benefits of diversification. Ignoring pest population monitoring can exacerbate the issue, as it prevents the identification of resistance patterns and effective management strategies.