What is a potential drawback of relying exclusively on chemical controls?

Relying exclusively on chemical controls can lead to pest resistance, which is a significant drawback of such an approach. Over time, the repeated use of specific chemical pesticides targets the same pest populations, allowing those individuals that happen to have or develop resistance traits to survive and reproduce. This can result in a situation where the chemical becomes less effective or ineffective at controlling the pests, making it necessary to use higher doses or switch to more toxic chemicals, which can exacerbate resistance issues and lead to a cycle of increased pesticide use.

In contrast, integrating various pest management strategies, such as cultural practices, biological controls, and chemical applications, can help manage pest populations effectively while reducing the likelihood of resistance development. Therefore, acknowledging the risks associated with reliance on chemical controls is essential for effective and sustainable pest management.