A good pest control program follows the principles of IPM— which approach does this describe?

• A. Integrated Pest Management
• B. Pesticide-Only Management
• C. Eradication-Only Approach
• D. Chemical-First Approach

Answer: (A)

The main idea is using a coordinated set of methods to control pests, not just relying on one tool. An Integrated Pest Management approach combines prevention, monitoring, and a mix of control methods—cultural, mechanical, biological, and, when needed, chemical—chosen to minimize risks to people, non-target organisms, and the environment. Pesticides are used, but only as part of a broader plan and typically after assessing pest levels and applying the least risky, most targeted option.

That’s why this describes IPM: it emphasizes using multiple strategies and thresholds to decide when and what to apply, rather than defaulting to chemicals. The other options describe approaches that rely solely on pesticides, aim for complete eradication regardless of practicality, or start with chemicals first—none of which align with the integrated, careful, and risk-aware mindset of IPM.