If the number of pests exceeds the action threshold, what should be the first control method used?

When the number of pests exceeds the action threshold, the first control method recommended is often cultural or mechanical methods. These techniques aim to directly disrupt pest life cycles or reduce their populations without relying on chemical inputs.

Cultural methods might include practices like crop rotation, adjusting planting times, and optimizing field cleanliness to remove pest habitats. Mechanical methods typically encompass physical controls such as traps, barriers, or hand-picking pests. Utilizing these approaches first can often prevent the need for more intensive and potentially harmful chemical treatments, aligning with integrated pest management principles that emphasize eco-friendly strategies.

Prioritizing these methods can also help in establishing a more sustainable management system that can mitigate pest pressures over the long term, potentially reducing the occurrence and impact of pests in future growing seasons.